The Golden Serpent and the Inkas: Inka Occupation in the Upper Marañón and the Ferry Port of Pogtán

Abstract

The materialisation of Inka state identity in the lower Yanamayo Valley is discussed in opposition to that of the local collective identity, referred to here as Marañón, on the basis of the archaeological settlement pattern of the lower Yanamayo Valley. The distribution of Inka and Marañón architecture —productive, administrative and mortuary— in fluvial Yunga settings generally, and around the ferry port at Pogtán in particular, suggests different strategies to claim rights of access and use over the Yunga oasis, and over the crossing of the Marañón river.

Inka architecture is found along the Qapaq Naani, as well as on a secondary Inka road, described here for the first time. The "Yanamayo Yunga Naani" links central Conchucos (departamento de Ancash) with Huacrachuco and the Cordillera Oriental (departamento de Huánuco). The Late Intermediate Period/Late Horizon Marañón architecture, is regarded conceptualized as the result of a regional historical trajectory, which was impacted upon by the Inka expansion.