Ritual Space and Material Culture in a Humahuaca-Inca Archaeological Site (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina)

Abstract

Esquina de Huajra is an archaeological site from the South-Central sector of Quebrada de Humahuaca (northern area of Northwest Argentina) which can be characterized from its material culture as a Humahuaca-Inca settlement. In this work we analyze materials, spatiality and characteristics of burials. Most interments are secondary, some of them composing ossuaries in rectangular shaped units, in circular structures or as primary interments in ordinary vessels. Mortuary offerings are also varied, calling special attention the presence of bird crania and pigments (red, yellow, green, orange and blue). The permanence of Inca material culture in moments when Spanish presence should be effective in the area would indicate the continuation of a lifestyle established under Inca administration that was not notably altered, as well as the efficacy of preexisting interaction networks.