Interaction and Resistance against the Inka on the Land of the Cañaris, Southern Ecuador

Summary

According to the early Spanish chronicles, the Cañaris were a constellation of chiefdoms which fiercely challenged the Inka expansion to the north. Early Texts show that war and conflict was the way they interacted in the region. As a conquest strategy during Wayna Qhapac's rule, the Inkas built important infrastructure in their heartland, such as Tomebamba in Cuenca and Ingapirka in Hatún Cañar, in addition to other smaller sites along the Qhapac Ñan. However, the archaeological evidence for the conflictive nature of their relationship is not clear. Research around Ingapirka shows that while the Inka built extensive and prominent infrastructure, and apparently incorporated the locals into their political and belief system, the Cañaris’ households did not incorporate any Inka cultural effects in their domestic behavior, indicating instead that resistance was held steadfast at the domestic sphere.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 18874