The Long-Durée of the Andean Roads and the Local Dimension of Infrastructure in the Construction of the Piura Region in Peru

Abstract

The network of pre-Hispanic roads used by the Incas has been proposed as the result of a political project directed by them, although based on earlier experiences. In this narrative, the road network was a product of Inca state planning and primarily served an administrative purpose. This state-centered interpretation of the Inca road network remains influential and is used to support the modern Peruvian state’s narrative, which learns from the lessons of the past and considers itself the heir to the Inca political project. However, several authors argue that this interpretation oversimplifies the complex and gradual development of the network, which involved various actors beyond centralized political institutions, claiming the need to identify the agency of local communities. In this context, the revaluation of pre-Hispanic roads can either generate domination or be a mechanism of integration and social restructuring that promotes local identities. This article uses the concepts of route and layout to analyze the road networks in the Piura region, providing a long-term regional perspective. It challenges the dominant Inca-centered narratives by highlighting the local importance of the roads and demonstrating the continuity of the infrastructure, rooted in daily experiences that transcend state control.