Abstract
This paper shows that two previous lines of evidence (radiocarbon dating and historic dynasty lists) for calculating absolute dates in prehistoric northern Peru produce a hiatus between the regional Classic and the late periods (kingdoms and confederations), which can best be resolved by expanding the time span of the Tiahuanacoid (Middle) period. Material evidence is adduced for this longer period by quantifying total construction for the last three precolonial periods on both the northern and central coasts. This procedure indicates that the last two periods combined were only half as long as the preceding Tiahuanacoid period and provides the temporal basis for postulating that the late-period trends, such as urbanization and secularization, were evolved largely during Tiahuanacoid times.

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