Preliminary study of pre-Hispanic human occupation and natural diversity in Pergoche Hill, upper part of the Chicama Valley basin, populated center Barro Negro, San Isidro village, Usquil district, Otuzco province, La Libertad region, Peru

Abstract

These are the preliminary results of the investigations carried out on the archaeological site Cerro Pergoche, located on the left bank of the Alto Chicama River, San Isidro farmhouse, Barro Negro town center, Usquil district, Otuzco province, La Libertad region at 3500 m altitude; with a pre-Hispanic occupation corresponding to the Early Intermediate Period, Late Intermediate Period, and probably the Late Horizon (1st to 15th centuries AD), whose outstanding evidence is located, at the top and western slopes of Cerro Pergoche in two very well defined sectors, and corresponding to constructions with edged stone and with an orthogonal plan , including dwelling places, spaces in the form of squares, terraces, walls, among other architectural characteristics and cemetery areas, associated with ceramics, mainly from the mountain tradition. The flora has 24 families, 37 genus and 39 species that include seven endemic species (Nasa usquiliensis, Elaphoglossum nivosum, Coreopsis senaria Calceolaria cajabambae, Paspalum tuberosum, Trihesperus glaucus and Drymaria diva ricata). The new species named in honor of Usquil as Nasa usquiliensis Weigend, T. Henning & C. Schneid. (Loasaceae), and traditionally values the medicinal and dry cleaning importance of various plant species. The fauna was represented by species of reptiles (2), birds (55) and mammals (3); of which two saurians (Stenocercus peruvianus and Stenocercus melanopygus) and two birds (Incaspiza personata and Metallura phoebe) are endemic and frequent in rocky and shrubby areas of the northern Andes.