Inca Conquest And Metallurgy in Los Amarillos (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina)

CARLOS I. ANGIORAMA

Londres

Simposio; Metallurgy. A touchstone for cross-cultural interaction; 2005

The British Museum

According to the archaeometallurgical survey carried out recently, we can point out that the Argentine North-west was one of the most important areas of metallurgic innovation and production in South Central Andes during prehispanic times and the Quebrada de Humahuaca was among the greatest metallurgic centers in the region. In this paper we analize the transformation of the organization of the production and circulation of metallic objects that took place in Los Amarillos, the major and most complex settlement in the Quebrada de Humahuaca during late prehispanic times.(900-1535 A.D.), after its annexation to the Inca Empire.   Differently from previous studies, our research suggests that in pre-Inca times, copper and bronze manufacturing and circulation wouldn't have been monopolized by local leaders. The findings in tombs and surrounding domestic buildings excavations show that the accessibility to raw materials, to the necessary knowledge for the production of metallic objects, and to the finished pieces wasn't restricted to the ruling group. However, this group controlled the use and perhaps the production of gold objects.   In the XV century, Los Amarillos was violently annexed to the Inca Empire and as regards metallurgy two significant changes occured. On one hand, the manufacturing of copper and bronze objects continued being performed by local workers but now under the Empire control. It's probable that Los Amarillos inhabitants couldn't have the possibility of using the finished metallic objects or getting the raw materials to manufacture them. The production could have been transported from the settlement and given to the state as a tribute. On the other hand, it seems that the Incas could have monopolized the manufacture and use of gold objects as it happened in various Tawantinsuyu areas.