We present isotopic and morphometric evidence suggesting the migration of farmers in the southern Andes in the period AD 1270–1420, leading up to the Inka conquest occurring ~ AD 1400. This is based on the interdisciplinary study of human remains from archaeological cemeteries in the Andean Uspallata Valley (Argentina), located in the southern frontier of the Inka Empire. The studied samples span AD 800–1500, encompassing the highly dynamic Late Intermediate Period and culminating with the imperial expansion. Our research combines a macro-regional study of human paleomobility and migration based on a new strontium isoscape across the Andes that allows identifying locals and migrants, a geometric morphometric analysis of cranio-facial morphology suggesting separate ancestral lineages, and a paleodietary reconstruction based on stable isotopes showing that the migrants had diets exceptionally high in C4 plants and largely based on maize agriculture. Significantly, this migration influx occurred during a period of regional demographic increase and would have been part of a widespread period of change in settlement patterns and population movements that preceded the Inka expansion. These processes increased local social diversity and may have been subsequently utilized by the Inka to channel interaction with the local societies.
Este trabajo discute la secuencia de desarrollo histórico prehispánico en el Norte Semiárido de Chile a partir del estudio de las dinámicas espaciales y temporales de las ocupaciones humanas en la cuenca hidrográfica del río Limarí. A partir del estudio de asentamientos, materiales depositados en colecciones y arte rupestre se observa una secuencia de transformaciones y desarrollo desde el Arcaico Temprano hasta el período Incaico que diverge de lo tradicionalmente planteado para la región, reconociéndose ritmos de cambios sociales diferenciales dentro de la misma zona, especialmente en relación con la tradicional asociación entre incorporación de cerámica y la constitución de un modo de vida agrícola. La incorporación del arte rupestre permite articular sus características espaciales y representacionales con procesos más amplios, discutiéndose las relaciones establecidas entre dinámi-cas y cambios sociales con los flujos de información que producen las representaciones rupestres y sus respectivas audiencias.Palabras claves: norte semiárido, cuenca hidrográfica del río Limarí, secuencia histórica, patrón de asentamiento, arte rupestre.
This paper discusses the pre-Hispanic sequence of historical development in the semiarid north of Chile through the study of spatial and temporal dynamics of human occupation in the
Se presentan los resultados de las investigaciones desarrolladas en el sitio incaico El Tigre, situado en la cuenca superior del río Aconcagua, en la zona septentrional de Chile Central. Su conjunto arquitectónico monumental, su contexto material y el análisis de su relación con otras manifestaciones incaicas situadas en zonas adyacentes apuntan a un carácter mutifuncional del sitio, reflejado de manera preferente en su asociación con la red vial y expresiones rituales de origen cuzqueño implantadas en la zona durante el período Tardío (1.400-1.542 d.C.). Estos antecedentes se discuten a la luz de los mecanismos que tuvo en la zona la presencia del Tawantinsuyu.Palabras claves: vialidad, arquitectura, ritualidad, Tawantinsuyu, valle de Aconcagua.
This paper presents the results of research conducted at the Inca site of
In this paper we present an overview of the process of mapping and field surveying of an area of ancient fields and irrigation canals around the pre-Hispanic sites of Topaín, Paniri and Turi, in the Andean highlands of northern Chile. As opposed to the usual conditions for prospection in temperate or tropical regions, where the surface visibility of archaeological features is often poor and confusing, here the extreme aridity of the landscape has permitted an extraordinary degree of both preservation and visibility of the fields, canals and other constructions. A field methodology based on a combination of an aerial approach (with relatively low-cost resources: high resolution satellite images, GIS, UAV) and field survey has allowed us not only to document the sites but to
Recibido: 2 de agosto de 2011 Aceptado: 3 de febrero de 2012 RESUMEN Se discute la dinámica de la ocupación del Tawantinsuyu en la zona central de Chile a partir del estudio de la instalación más extensa ubicada en la zona: el Complejo Arquitectónico Cerro Mercachas. A partir de un análisis intra-sitio se reconoce una organización lineal y tripartita del asentamiento, lo que sumado al escaso registro de cultura material mueble llevan a proponerle una función ritual relacionada con las festividades del calendario metropolitano inca asociadas, al menos, a la observación del solsticio de diciembre y el culto al cerro Aconcagua. El contexto sugiere un uso esporádico y por pocos sujetos del sitio, implicando una ritualidad exclusiva para ciertos personajes. A una escala regional, la alta visibilidad del sitio hace que esta ritualidad se inserte en el paisaje cotidiano de las poblaciones locales, reproduciendo estrategias de construcción social del espacio que el Tawantinsuyu aplica en otras áreas. A través de ella se crea una diferencia y jerarquización con los otros espacios rituales locales, estableciendo una estrategia de integración y exclusión entre el Tawantinsuyu y las poblaciones locales. A partir de estos resultados, se discute el modelo administrativo tradicionalmente utilizado para entender la ocupación inca en la zona.Palabras clave: Chile central, arquitectura inca, paisaje, ritual.
Architectonical Complex of Cerro Mercachas: Architecture and Inca Rituality in Central Chile
ABSTRACTIn this paper we discuss Inca occupation in the central zone of Chile, through the study of the biggest imperial site so far known in the area: the architectonical complex of Cerro Mercachas. An intra-site analysis was able to identify a linear and tripartite spatial organization of the site. Together with the scarce material culture identified, we suggest a ritual function for this site, related to festivities surrounding Inca metropolitan calendar or, at least, the observation of the December solstice and the Cerro Aconcagua cult. The overall archaeological context suggests a sporadic use of the site and by a limited number of individuals. This implies an exclusive ritualism for a selected few. Seen at a regional level, the high visibility of the site integrates this exclusive ritualism into the daily landscape of local populations, thereby reproducing the strategies of social construction of space that Tawantinsuyu executes in other areas. This new spatial order creates difference and hierarchy with local ritual spaces, thereby materializing a strategy of integration and exclusion between Tawantinsuyu and local populations. With these results we discuss the administration model traditionally used to understand Inca occupation in Central Chile.
We report the first absolute dating for rock paintings by Andean hunter-gatherer groups. Analysis by Raman spectrometry of remains of black paintings from the centernorth of Chile (30°lat. S) allows for the identification of carbon as the raw material. Radiocarbon dating situates these paintings between 1623-1431 BCE and 80-240 ACE, dates that are supported by other lines of independent evidence. These results are consistent with proposals that suggest the appearance and popularization of rock art in various places in the Andes for the temporal transect of 3000-1000 BCE. Finally, these new datings are added to the scant corpus of absolute dates for rock art that exist in South America.
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