"Aptly illustrates the intentionality of Wari practices, their effects on physical bodies, and the construction of individual identities in Wari society…. A massive amount of research into an ancient empire that is not yet well understood and will be of particular interest to Andean scholars and to researchers dealing with questions of violence in the past." --American Journal of Physical Anthropology

"Reveals the biological and social impact of the military aggression on which this power was founded, with groundbreaking DNA and osteological data shedding light on the rituals of power and use of violence. A thought-provoking--if not always comfortable--read." --Current World Archaeology

"A ground-breaking study that provides one of the best case studies we have in the bioarchaeology of violence. A must-read for anyone interested in the origin and evolution of aggression and violence in human societies."--Debra L. Martin, University of Nevada

"In this exciting new work, Dr. Tung provides the first comprehensive view of life and the bodies inside ancient Peru's Wari Empire. Situating the study of archaeological human remains where bioarchaeology and the contemporary archaeology intersect, Tung focuses on the lived experience of Wari inhabitants to explore the creation of bioarchaeological narratives, the ways that bodies become material culture, and the influence of imperial control."--Christina Torres-Rouff, Colorado College

The Wari Empire thrived in the Peruvian Andes between AD 600 and 1000. This study of human skeletons reveals the biological and social impact of Wari imperialism on people's lives, particularly its effects on community organization and frequency of violence of both ruling elites and subjects.

Tiffiny A. Tung is associate professor of anthropology at Vanderbilt University.

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"A thought-provoking -- if not always comfortable -- read."
--Current World Archaeology

"Effectively intertwines osteological data with archaeological information to paint a rich picture of life in the Wari Empire."
--American Journal of Physical Anthropology

"Pave the way towards a better understanding of the multi-faceted nature of human conflict."
--Antiquity

"Throughout the book, Tung's skillful use of analogies to modern state societies and situations greatly elucidates th information presented…shed[s] much-needed light on the impact that warfare and ritual violence had on the lives of individuals."
--Antiquity

“Reveals bioarchaeology as a new discipline… with enormous potential to contribute to an integrative archaeology of the Andes.”
--Anthropos