Cerro Baul: A Wari center on the Tiwanaku frontier

Andean scholars have long debated the nature of the relationship between tw o Middle Horizon (ca AD 705-1000) Andean states, many assumed Tiwanaku domi nated Wari and preceded Wari in time. Recent research at the Wari administr ative center of Cerro Baul in the only known region occupied by both states (the Moquegua Valley of southern Peru) indicates that Tiwanaku may not pre date Wari in Moquegua and that, contrary to previous assertions, both state s occupied the valley for the last three centuries of the Middle Horizon. I n support of this position, I review recent excavations at Cerro Baul. Then I present eight new C-14 dates and summarize the evidence for two major co nstruction episodes at Cerro Baul, I interpret the local Wari construction chronology based on the 12 C-14 and summarize the evidence for two major co nstruction episodes at Cerro Baul. I interpret the local Wari construction chronology based on the 12(14)C dates now available from excavation context s and I suggest that the new data, in comparison with 24 published C-14 dat es from other Wari centers, support a later date for Middle Horizon 1B Wari expansion than previously postulated.