Chincha Farmers: Understanding Inca expansion, strategies, and motivations at Las Huacas, Chincha Valley

Summary

The Inca Empire was the largest empire in the New World and its ability to expand relied upon the flexibility and diversity of its methods. In some regions the Inca used force and installed their own loyal members imposing a direct rule; in other regions, local administrative structure and elite groups were kept largely intact. The Chincha Kingdom has often been cited as a prime example of Inca diplomacy and peaceful incorporation, whereby the Inca gained access to the Chincha Kingdom’s mercantile trade routes and its connections to the pilgrimage site of Pachacamac. New evidence from the important agricultural center of Las Huacas is adding information on the role of farmers in this interaction. The 2015 survey has exposed evidence of strong Inca influence on Las Huacas’ architecture. This presentation will look at Las Huacas in our efforts to understand Inca expansion into the Chincha Valley and Inca expansion in general. Las Huacas will be compared to other Inca sites on the coast and in the highlands, emphasizing architecture, building techniques, and urban planning.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage