Program Overview

The Inka empire was one of the largest of the ancient world, supported by a network of outposts. This project explores one of the best preserved of such outposts – the site of Moqi. Moqi comprises a commoner domestic area, an Inka-style civic-ceremonial sector, and several cemeteries. Our primary research interests lie in determining what brought the Inka to this valley, and how local and imperial populations interacted. Mortuary analyses are critical for learning about the identities of the site’s inhabitants and excavations in both the domestic and Inka parts of the site will shed light on how these groups articulated on a daily basis. This is a multidisciplinary project that explores the function of the site and its political, economic and ideological significance.

Instructor Bio

Dr. Colleen Zori (colleen.zori@ucla.edu) is a Fellow at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA. She previously worked in Ecuador, both coastal and highland Peru, and northern Chile, exploring how states and empires impact and incorporate local populations into their political and economic domains.

Student Fees

Program Costs

All fees are payable to the Institute for Field Research. Eight semester credit units are provided through Connecticut College. Program fee includes registration, accommodations, program activities, meals on workdays, and health insurance.

Airfare, weekend meals, and optional excursions are additional.

Financial Aid

Please inquire about Financial Aid at your home institution.  For details about the financial aid application process, please visit the Financial Aid section of this web site.

Budgeting

How much to budget depends on your travel, entertainment and souvenir choices. It is always best to overestimate your spending. We recommend that you budget accordingly to cover optional sightseeing, laundry, internet cafes, emergencies, etc.

Expenses NOT Covered:

-Airfare to/from the pre-designated meeting place for the field school.
-Food on weekends when away from the site.
-Miscellaneous expenses.
-Sightseeing outside formal field school excursions as outlined on the syllabus.

Accommodations

Students will live in comfortable, but modest, field housing in the Locumba Valley, and will be provided with hotel lodging while in Tacna and Moquegua. The site of Moqi is located at 2,800 meters above sea level (ca. 9,000 feet) so a period of adjustment to the altitude will be necessary and mandatory. While daytime temperatures are quite comfortable and perfect for conducting excavations and survey, it can get down to freezing during the nights, and so warm clothing is a must. Conditions at the field house are basic and hot water is not always guaranteed. Students will sleep on bunk beds or on mattresses on the floor, and will share large communal rooms divided by gender.  

MEALS:

All meals will be communal events and will provide plenty of nutritious but basic food in the tradition of local cusine. The daily diet in Peru is heavily based on rice, corn, potatoes and meat.  Specialized diets (vegan, kosher, etc.) are difficult to maintain in this remote location. Vegetarians may attend but will find options fairly limited.         

Please let us know when you apply for this program if you have special dietary needs, as well as any medical or physical conditions. We will advise you accordingly. The project is used to catering for vegetarians, those with gluten intolerance etc.

Travel Information

You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Please plan to arrive in Tacna with ample time to meet on Sunday, July 14. If you are arriving in Tacna earlier, please contact the project director, who can make reservations for you to stay at La Posada del Cacique.

From the US, you cannot fly directly to Tacna. Instead, you will travel first through Lima, and then take a short, national flight down to Tacna. If you arrive earlier than the project start, a taxi into Tacna from the airport is around USD $13-15.

Travelling by bus from Lima is possible, but not recommended. The trip is 20+ hours in duration, along the Pan American highway, which is notorious for accidents.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Tourists visas are issued at Peru’s Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. All flights in Peru, both domestic and international, are subject to an airport fee. Fess change frequently but are approximately $37 for international flights and $7 for domestic flights. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date you are planning to return. For more information, please consult the US Sate Department’s relevant page here.

HEALTH ISSUES:

For specific information regarding travel health issues pertinent to Peru, please read the Centers for Disease Control Website. Click here to be directed to the CDC website.

Student Testimonials

“Even though I am studying cultural anthropology, the Moqi field school was an excellent opportunity to delve into archaeology. The staff was passionate about the Inca and the Andes offered a beautiful backdrop for the entire experience. I would love to spend another 5 weeks in this program!”

Laura Chren, University of Colorado at Boulder (2012)

“Truly a great experience. I went on this endeavor not knowing what I was in for and it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. The instructors and staff, apart from being extremely knowledgeable about Andean archaeology, were extremely friendly and comforting. They are well aware that this may be a student's first experience in a distant country so they try their best to make the students comfortable while still maintaining academic professionalism. I have learned so much in those 5 weeks in the program, about archaeology, the people of the community; and even about my fellow students and staff. This is a great opportunity to expand one's own archaeological and cultural knowledge and understanding. It is also a good opportunity to form social relationships. In short, I have benefited from this program both academically and socially and I will never forget this experience.”

Eduardo Estrada, California State University Northridge (2012)

"Moqi was tough... It's not a field school for the high-maintenance archaeologist. You will be perpetually dirty, probably sick, and desperate for a cheeseburger but it was also the most amazing thing I have ever done. The program was very well rounded, giving us an opportunity to work on various different aspects of both field and lab work. I felt so much more prepared for graduate school because of it. The locals were very kind and accommodating... and highly amused by us, I think. Peru is a beautiful country with a fascinating history, and I'm so grateful that I had the chance to experience it. 2012 was the first year for the Moqi excavation, we made some really exciting discoveries and I know there will be many more in future excavations. Not only would I highly recommend the Moqi field school, but I fully plan on returning within the next few seasons."

Jen Mantie, California State University Los Angeles (2012)