El Qhapaqñan entre Atacama y Lípez (original) (raw)

THE QHAPAQNAN BETWEEN ATACAMA AND LIPEZ. This paper describes segments of two branches of the Inka road that communicate the Atacama Desert (Antofagasta Region, Chile) and the Lipez Altiplano (Department of Potosi, Bolivia). The first, which extends between Licancabur and Laguna Chojllas, was part of a road that connected the Inka node of San Pedro de Atacama with the Chicha Valleys and the Argentine Puna. The second enters Bolivia through Portezuelo del Inca, coming from the Salado River basin, and heads directly toward Chiguana-Colcha K, an area that apparently served as the axis of Inka rule in the Lipez Altiplano. On the basis of these data, we discuss issues related to the circulation of goods, the supply of groups using the tampu system, and the ritual practices associated with the mountain passes along the road.