The Archaeology of Conquest: Employing a Trans-conquest Approach to Interpreting Processes of Resistance and Incorporation

Summary

European countries have undertaken colonialist ventures throughout the Old and New World over the past six centuries. Yet Spanish colonialism in South America is unique as it was significantly structured by local relationships forged through Inka statecraft. The degree of Inka investment and local responses to these interests fundamentally impacted the success of Spanish conversion and governance. In the contiguous regions of Pampachiri/Larcay and Cocharcas, we find complimentary evidence of resistance and incorporation with respect to Spanish attempts at consolidation. In Pampachiri, home of several millenarian movements including Taqui Onqoy (“dancing sickness”), historic resistance to Inka presence prompted continued conflict over Spanish conversion. Conversely, Cocharcas was a sacred site during the Inka era later embraced by local devotees of the cult of the Virgin of Cocharcas during the sixteenth century, and remains a valued pilgrimage site. Preliminary survey and archival research illustrates the divergent trans-conquest historical trajectories which structured and characterized these twin sacred sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Las preguntas que cuentan: Ideas and interpretations in Latin American Historical Archaeology   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-33,18