Agua, ancestros y arqueología del paisaje

Abstract

Water, Ancestors and Landscape Archaeology

This paper explores the possibilities of a landscape archaeology approach, which is still rarely used in Peruvian archaeology. The basic principles are presented in order to apply them to a specific case, the Pisac complex, near modern Cuzco. This often cited complex lacks convincing historical and archeological evidence which result in diverse and basically unconvincing hypotheses. The chosen approach, however, leads to a different interpretation, that of a predominantly sacred site. Future excavations and better documentation at the site should corroborate the offered suggestions.