Archaeological Investigations at Yunkaray (Cuzco, Peru): Reconstructing the Rise and Fall of an Early Inca Rival (A.D. 1050–1450)

Archaeological investigations at Yunkaray, located near Cuzco, Peru, reveal the rise and fall of a powerful pre-Inca polity that remained independent despite its proximity to the Inca Empire. Household excavations indicate that this large village was inhabited by a population with modest social distinctions, relying on local cultural identities rather than Inca influence. The study suggests that Yunkaray, the capital of the Ayarmaca group, maintained distinct political and cultural ties outside Inca control from approximately A.D. 1050 to 1450. This research sheds light on the complex interactions between pre-Inca societies and the emerging Inca Empire during a pivotal period in Andean history.

Quave, K. E., Covey, R. A., & Durand Cáceres, K. X. (2018). Archaeological Investigations at Yunkaray (Cuzco, Peru): Reconstructing the Rise and Fall of an Early Inca Rival (A.D. 1050–1450). Journal of Field Archaeology, 43(4), 332–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/00934690.2018.1456839