Mapocho Incaico Norte

Abstract

Using early colonial documents and archaeological data, we explore the connectivity, territory and
landscape during the 16th century. We focus on the reconstruction of the indigenous space and how it
articulates with the Inca and Spanish worlds in an area of great strategic relevance as it was the Lampa-
Colina district in the northern part of Mapocho valley. We analyze the Tawantinsuyu strategy that
included the creation of nucleated settlements in sensitive areas, the building of the Qhapaq Ñan, the
agricultural intensification, and the introduction of powerful symbolic elements.
Finally, we examine how the Spanish conquerors appropriated this territory and its people.
We remark the fact that Pedro de Valdivia assigned most of this district to himself in order to control
the irrigation and the access between Santiago and the rest of the European world.