Prácticas funerarias incaicas en Sacsayhuamán: enterramientos ceremoniales y complejo funerario

Abstract

Inca Funerary Practices at Sacsayhuamán: Ceremonial Burial and Funerary Complex

Excavations in the Inca site of Sacsayhuaman, Cuzco, show at least two kinds of Inca burial practices. Archaeological studies conducted by the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC) in 1999 in the Suchuna sector revealed a specific cemetery area. This complex of about 80 graves was designated for the disposal of the ordinary people. More recently, in 2001 the Instituto Nacional de Cultura has conducted excavations in the Muycmarca sector. Fifteen funerary contexts were found, which were associated with architectural structures and offerings. It seems that the practices associated with burials at Muyucmarca were of a ritual character. This paper presents the comparative analysis between the Suchuna and the Muyucmarca burials with the goal of advancing our understanding of various distinctive Incaic funerary practices and burial patterns.