A Local Perspective of Inca Imperial Influence in Coastal Colesuyo of the Southern Andes

Summary

The effects of the Inca empire across the Andes were multiple and diverse. Relying on their sophisticated institutions, the empire originated a strong physical, political, and economic connectivity across the pre-Hispanic Andes that on occasions went beyond imperial boundaries or political borders. People, things and ideas travelled across the empire provoking a cascade of interactions some of which were not directly intended by the center of power. The multi-component site of Tacahuay located in the coastal region of southern Peru was inhabited before and during the influence of the empire (1,100 – 1540 a.C) at this region. This site resembles an Inca tambo, presents high frequencies of Inca-altiplanic sherds and chullpas (altiplanic funerary structures); however, it was not part of the Inca imperial system. Instead, Tacahuay was an enclave established by elites from the altiplano and coastal populations that allowed elites to have access to foreign resources and political benefits, respectively.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20465