The Cápac Ñan from Chachapoyas to the Tierra Adentro

Fieldwork in 2014 successfully relocated the Cápac Ñan, an ancient Andean road system, from Chachapoyas to Moyobamba, revealing its historical significance and usage spanning centuries. This northern segment of the Cápac Ñan served as a critical route for both highlanders and lowlanders to access exotic resources, particularly during the Late Horizon and early colonial periods. The road facilitated Inca conquests and later Spanish expeditions in search of El Dorado. Historical archives uncovered evidence of previously unknown tribes inhabiting the region along the stone-paved roads and river systems until the late 17th century. This study highlights the enduring cultural and strategic importance of the Cápac Ñan, which was eventually replaced by modern infrastructure like 'The Marginal' for automobile traffic.

SCHJELLERUP, I. (2021). The Cápac Ñan from Chachapoyas to the Tierra Adentro. The Archaeology of the Upper Amazon, 228–242. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1xcxqz3.16