Category: Blog

Northern Argentina is a region with a vast cultural heritage, specially if we look at it from an archaeological or anthropological point of view. Different organizations from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador and Colombia joined in 2002 to support the research, conservation and awareness on one of the most complex communication networks humanity has ever heard of. Qhapaq Ñan (or main road) was one of the key resources of the Inca empire, the Tahuantinsuyu. It extends throughout the Andean region, which is why the Argentine Northwest houses many archaeological sites that allow us to understand more about how these peoples lived. In 2014, and thanks to this joint effort, the Inca Road was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Incas took advantage of the previously existent infrastructure and took it to a whole new level; it was not only the most important communication network in the continent but also a huge demonstration of their power and authority. The road had reached its summit by the 15th century, uniting all of the region under the Inca economic and cultural system until the Spanish conquerors came. The over 30000 kilometers that make up Qhapaq Ñan cross all sorts of environments: arid deserts, jungles, forests and 6000 meters high mountains, where many burial sites were found. Many of this sites can be found in the Argentine Northwest and are great places to learn more about the pre hispanic cultures. One of the most important sites is Llullaillaco volcano. Located in the limit between Salta province and Chile, this is the place where one of the most important findings of the last decades took place: three frozen children were found in excellent conditions and are now displayed with many other discovered objects at the MAAM (High Altitude Archaeology Museum). This is a must