Archaeological excavation at the courtyard of the Headquarters of the Fire Brigade of Santiago

Abstract

Excavation was conducted at the Courtyard of the Headquarters of the Fire Brigade of Santiago, with the objective of locating architectural and artifactual evidence for the presence of the Inca in the Plaza de Armas (Parade Square) of Santiago city. Ceramic evidence of Tawantinsuyu occupation was found at different levels, which appeared together with colonial remains from the 16th Century, which impeded determining whether the ceramic remains were prehispanic, contemporary to the earlier Spanish conquistadors or both. With respect to the colonial remains, excavations rendered material congruent with historical documents from the proprietaries of the housing blocks surrounding the Plaza Mayor. These were inhabitants of high social status and hispanic origin, represented by merchants, high rank military officers and authorities (governors). This conclusion is based on the presence at the site of remnants from luxurious items such as Chinese and Majolica porcelain, European glass, luxurious garments (like bronze buttons) and ornaments. Bone remains suggest that their diet included mostly goat and some poultry. Throughout the centuries the site was continuously used by people from Santiago's elite, judging by the continuous presence of high prestige artifacts. Finally, the remains of a vaulted aqueduct confirmed that the property was inserted in the sanitary measures of the mid 19^th century.