Antes del Inka y después del Inka: paisajes culturales y sacralidad en la puna de Atacama, Chile

Abstract

Before the Inka and After the Inka: Cultural Lansdcapes and Sacredness in the Puna of Atacama, Chile

The objective of the present study is to explore ideological aspects of towns of the late pre-Hispanic periods (900-1500 C.E.) located in the upper valleys of the Atacama, on the western slopes of the southern Andes, which are related to the tradition of the south-central Andean area. The surprising aspects of cultural continuity that exist among the present-day inhabitants of communities in this area permit the authors to interpret the material remains left by the pre-Columbian inhabitants.

In this study, results are presented of fieldwork undertaken by the authors that pertain to the beliefs of older community members of the puna of Atacama. In particular, emphasis will be given to rituals related to the mountains and the transformations that came about with the incorporation of this region into Tawantinsuyu.