Wari Lithic Technology on the Northern Coast of the Andes: Geochemical, 2D Geometric Morphometric, and Technological Analyses of Obsidian Bifaces From San José de Moro

Abstract

This study examines Wari obsidian production in a cache of 39 bifaces found at the Late Moche site of San José de Moro (Jequetepeque Valley, North Coast of Peru, 700–850 ad). Portable X-ray fluorescence, geometric morphometric, and technological analyses were used to investigate raw material provenance and bifacial production. The artifacts were made from obsidian obtained from two major Andean sources, Alca-1 and Quispisisa. The assemblage shows recurrent shape regularities, but not strict uniformity: bifaces differ in reduction strategies, structural configuration, and variability between sources. These differences are best understood as technical choices made within a shared Wari technological framework.