EXCAVATIONS IN THE NORTH COURTYARDS OF THE CHOL AN WALLED COMPOUND (FORMERLY PALACIO RIVERO), CHAN CHAN, PERU

The purpose of the excavations was to determine the use and function of the courtyards 1, 2 and 7, in the Chol An walled compound in the Chan Chan archaeological complex, and to establish an occupational and building sequence for this sector. The methodology consisted in digging trenches and prospecting around the perimeter walls of the courtyards. As a result, it was possible to identify early architectural elements associated with the tapia (mud) wall, remodeling, and walls enclosing spaces used for domestic activity. Additionally, cultural material associated with the later phase was recovered, which allowed to determine four building phases and two occupational moments, where the later occupation radically changed the function and, the use of the courtyards.