The Inca foundations of the Metropolitan Cathedral (Chile)

Abstract

This paper presents and comments the available information about the archaeological research related to the Tawantinsuyu expansion in Santiago, based on the excavation of Catedral Metropolitana. The excavation results from Cripta de los Obispos (2005) and Patio Los Naranjos (2015) are presented in depth with special consideration of architectonic and ceramic remains. The ceramic stylistic analysis indicates a high percentage of designs coming from Cuzco followed by a smaller percentage of Diaguita designs. Local stylistic patterns are absolutely absents. We argue that the deepest structures found on the excavation belong to the remains of the Tawantinsuyu´s occupation in Santiago, forming the Inca substrate of Catedral Metropolitana. The evidence supports the hypothesis that this place had a high religious and political significance for the Incas, before the European occupation.