Anthropology 150C: Archaeology of the Inca Empire
Spring 2005
PROJECT ASSIGNMENT: Conquer the Chiriyaku Valley
DUE: TUESDAY, MAY 31
The Chiriyaku Valley is located in the Andean highlands about 10 days' travel northwest of Cuzco. The Chiriyaku River flows through it, roughly from south to north, eventually turning to the east and joining the Amazon. The valley is so steep on the east side that agriculture is possible only in very limited pockets of land. All permanent settlements are located on the west flank of the valley, which has a more gradual slope, and where there is abundant agricultural land. There are cliffs immediately adjacent to the river on both sides of the valley. An important trail zigzags down the steep side of the valley, and winds up the other side, passing by several local settlements. Towering above the valley to the northwest is a snow-capped peak, Qoripata, whose glacial melt waters flow down the Chiriyaku River.
Ecology and Resources:
The lowest zone in the valley is called the chaupiyunga; it lies at elevations below 2800 meters, down to the valley bottom at 2400 meters. Below 2400 meters the valley narrows sharply and no human occupation is possible. Although the chaupiyunga zone is quite extensive, only scattered cultivated plots are found there; in them are grown squashes, hot peppers, and coca. Much of this sector is covered with thorn bushes. Several flocks of brightly colored native parrots live in this zone. Between 2800 and 3300 meters is the kichwa zone. About one-third of the zone is terraced, and maize grows on these terraces. The remainder of the zone has native trees and shrubs growing on it, which are collected for firewood. The suni zone lies between 3300 and 3800 meters, and is extensively cultivated. The major crops of this zone are potatoes, oca, and quinoa. The puna is the highest zone, and is rolling grassland on which large herds of alpaca graze. There are also areas in which vicuña are found. There are several marshy lakes on the puna; water is diverted from these lakes to provide irrigation water for the terraces of the kichwa zone. Much of the local geology is volcanic in origin, as evidenced by the presence of hot springs near the river, and a small obsidian source high in the valley. In fact, Qoripata is an extinct volcano.
Socio-Political Organization:
There are about 20 small villages in this valley, ranging in size from 25 to 200 houses. Most villages are found near the boundary of the kichwa and suni zones, or scattered throughout those zones. No villages are found in the chaupiyunga zone. About half the villages are fortified.
There are also three large towns in the valley. Kunturllaqta is located in the southwestern part of the valley, and has a population of about 1500 households. Pumallaqta is located in the west-central part of the valley, and Waytallaqta in the northwestern sector, and each of these towns has about 1200 resident households. Unlike the villages, the three towns are all located high in the suni zone, on hilltops or ridge tops, and are heavily fortified.
Each village has a headperson, and each village owes allegiance to one of the larger towns. Each of the three towns has a headperson, and at present the heads of the two smaller towns owe allegiance to the head of Kunturllaqta. However, informants tell you that this was not always the case. Sometimes no town had control over the others, or they fought with each other for control.
Your Mission:
Your mission is to conquer this valley and bring it under Inca political and economic control. You might find it most efficient to do this in three steps:
1.Spies have brought all of the above information, and more, to the Inca. You now have to decide which strategies of conquest and consolidation are open to the Inca. What are their options?
2.Carry out one of those strategies. (Note: You may be anyone you want, and do the assignment from the perspective of that person or group.)
3.Once you have consolidated your political control, decide what kinds of mita labor will be required and organize it.
How to accomplish your mission:
1.You may work alone, or in groups of two; if you do the assignment with a friend, turn in only one assignment, with both names listed. (You will both receive the same grade.)
2.You will briefly present your Inca conquest to the class on May 31st.
3.You may turn in the assignment in anyformat you wish, as long as all the necessary information is included. Maps and diagrams are especially encouraged.
4.Also write a one page outline of the Inca conquest of the Chiriyaku Valley, written in standard academic prose. Make enough copies so that you can: 1) turn in one to us (we will not return it), and 2) keep copies for yourselves.