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Pachamanka: Inka Earthen Ovens from Tambo Viejo, Peru

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2021

Lidio M. Valdez Open the ORCID record for Lidio M. Valdez [Opens in a new window]  and
Katrina J. Bettcher
Lidio M. Valdez*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW Calgary AB T2N 1N3, Canada
Katrina J. Bettcher*
Affiliation:
Independent researcher, Edmonton, AB T6J 6L6, Canada
*
([email protected], corresponding author)
([email protected])
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Abstract

Early Spaniards reported that the Inka state organized public celebrations involving extravagant banquets and drinking, in addition to singing and dancing. Cieza de León and Cobo noted that large number of llamas were slaughtered for such special celebrations. Although it is understood that food was an integral part of the festivities and that the Inka state used food as a political tool, until recently the meal preparation details for such large gatherings remained unknown. Recent archaeological excavation at Tambo Viejo revealed the presence of earthen ovens, similar in fashion to contemporary pachamanka, that were used for cooking at Inka state public celebrations.

Los cronistas españoles reportaron que el Estado Inka organizaba multitudinarias celebraciones públicas que incluyeron banquetes extravagantes y consumo de bebidas fermentadas, que eran acompañadas con canciones y bailes. Cieza de León y Cobo mencionan que tales festividades incluyeron el sacrificio de un número considerable de llamas. Mientras se sabía que la distribución de comida fue parte de las festividades y que el Estado Inka la utilizó como un instrumento político, hasta hace muy poco era incierta la forma en que la carne y la comida fue preparada para dichas ocasiones especiales. Recientes excavaciones arqueológicas en el centro Inka de Tambo Viejo reveló la presencia de hornos, semejantes a la pachamanka contemporánea, que fueron utilizados en la preparación de comida para dichos banquetes.

Keywords

Inka ritualsPeruvian south coastTambo Viejoearthen ovensbanquetsrituales Inkacosta sur del PerúTambo Viejohornosbanquetes
Type
Report
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , December 2021 , pp. 858 - 864
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Society for American Archaeology

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