Inca rule in Caspana: an approach to Andean political thinking (Loa River, northern Chile)

• Adán Alfaro, Leonor ^[1] ; Uribe Rodríguez, Mauricio Iván ^[2]
  1. [1] Universidad Austral

     Universidad Austral

     Argentina

     
  2. [2] Universidad de Chile

     Universidad de Chile

     Santiago, Chile

     
• Localización: Estudios Atacameños: arqueología y antropología surandinas, ISSN 0716-0925, ISSN-e 0718-1043, Nº. 29, 2005, págs. 41-64
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This paper presents the archaeological record for five late  pre-Hispanic sites located in Caspana, in order to discuss Inca expansion in the upper river Loa basin (Atacama  Desert). A first categorization of these sites enables to establish a distinction between: a) locals settlements with low presence of inca features –the case of Aldea Talikuna and Estancia Mulorojte; b) pure inca settlements, which include  Cerro Verde, Incahuasi Inca and Vega Salada –mineral, agricultural and/or cattle sites, and c) shared settlements where both identities are displayed in a symbolically laden context –like Los Abuelos cemetery. Our analysis of the material culture associated to these sites suggests a set of significant differences and similarities that would be the result of a direct and planned ruling strategy deployed by the Inca State through elaborately complex symbolical means.