La Centinela
La Centinela is an archaeological site in Peru which was an active administrative center during both the Inca and pre-Inca periods.
History
La Centinela was the Incan capital of the kingdom of the Chinca. It is "an unusual site in that it is one of the very few places where the Incas incorporated a major state installation into a preexisting, and still functioning, non-Inca capital." [1] In 1958, Dwight T. Wallace discovered a system of straight roads eminating from La Centinela, suggesting a highly centralized pre-Incan administration.[2]
Site
La Centinela lies about 200km south of Lima in the China Valley and about 1km away from the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by irrigated agricultural land. This means that the residents of La Centinela exploited plant, animal and marine resources [3]
There are 11 well-defined pyramid structures and minor buildings constructed by adobe bricks. There are examples of adobe walls decorated using the technique of Champlevé.[4]
A black and red on white geometric painting can be found within the principal Inca building.[5]
Notes
- ^ Evans, Susan Toby and Joanne Pillsbury 2004. Palaces of the Ancient New World: A Symposium at Dumbarton Oaks, 10th and 11th october 1998. Washington D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. Pg. 311
- ^ Menzel, Dorothy. ""The Inca Occupation of the South Coast of Peru"". Southwestern Journal of Anthropology, Vol. 15, pp. 125-142.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|Date=ignored (|date=suggested) (help) - ^ Ugent, Donald; Peterson, Linda W. (September 1988). "Archaeological Remains of Potato and Sweet Potato in Peru" (PDF). International Potato Center. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ Lothrop, S.K. ""Gold Artifacts of Chavin Style"". American Antiquity, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 226-240.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|Date=ignored (|date=suggested) (help) - ^ Menzel, Dorothy. ""The Inca Occupation of the South Coast of Peru"". Southwestern Journal of Anthropology, Vol. 15, pp. 125-142.
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