The Archaeological Complex of Saqsaywaman (Cusco): An Architectural Approach
Keywords:
Inka architecture, ancient palaces, precolonial urbanism in America.
Abstract
Saqsaywaman is the most extensive archaeological complex of the ancient imperial capital of Cuzco. Despite the excavations carried out in the last 70 years, it lacks even an architectural and functional interpretation that claimed its extraordinary importance in the context of Inca architecture. This paper presents an architectural study of the sector of Muyukmarca as a result of the training seminar on «Archaeology of architecture» held in Cusco between the years 2010 and 2011. The examination of material remains and of information gathered by colonial chroniclers indicates that the most important spaces had religious functions, agreeing on the idea that Saqaywaman was the great Sun House of Hanan Qusqu, built as a counterpoint to Coricancha in the unitary design of the city decided by the great Pachacuti.Downloads
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Published
2015-01-08
How to Cite
Mar R. y Beltrán-Caballero J. A. (2015). The Archaeological Complex of Saqsaywaman (Cusco): An Architectural Approach. Revista Española de Antropología Americana, 44(1), 9-38. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_REAA.2014.v44.n1.47633
Section
Articles
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