Labor and the Rise of the Tiwanaku State (AD 500-1100): A Bioarchaeological Study of Activity Patterns

A bioarchaeological study of skeletal remains from Tiwanaku challenges the traditional view that labor was centrally controlled under a corvée mit'a system, instead suggesting a more decentralized and collaborative model characterized by workforce cooperation. This research indicates that labor organization in the Tiwanaku state (AD 500-1100) was likely heterarchical, with local control playing a significant role in its emergence, formation, and expansion. By analyzing skeletal evidence, the study provides insights into activity patterns, workload levels, gendered division of labor, and political structures, contributing to a better understanding of the dynamics that shaped this early Andean state.

Becker, S. K. (2013). Labor and the Rise of the Tiwanaku State AD 500-1100: A Bioarchaeological Study of Activity Patterns. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.4559.7124