Abstract

The article presented here is the product ofan archeologic research of the funeral spaces (cemetery) linked to the Middle period in the Azapa valley,Arica and Parinacota region, North of Chile. From this research it was possible to, first, determine the existence of various sectors of occupation for burials and, secondly, and as a consequence of an extensive excavation in the cemetery Az-ug, discuss the distribution, type and characteristics of the burials along this cemetery. The information obtained from both analysis has allowed us to know four types of funeral spaces, which from the point of view of distribution have as common denominator the use of the maximum of the spaces available; at the same time, the excavation of Az-115 threw the preparation of three types of burials within a range of time of approximately 600 years (100 to 600 AC) according to dating obtained by C14. This chronological information is of great importance for those who were unaware people settled in the valley of Azapa the first six centuries of the Christian era. From the discussion of the funeral spaces and mortuary practices, it presents a population of local origin, where mortuary traditions typical of these valleys manifested, which are linked to the start of the agricultural process of the village.