Publications
Beyond Inca roads: the Redes Andinas project explores complex palimpsests of Andean road networks
Ancient Andean road networks exhibit remarkable complexity and resilience, extending far beyond the iconic Inca roads system. The Redes Andinas project reveals that these networks evolved dynamically over the past millennium along a vertical transect at 18°S, forming intricate 'palimpsests' of overlapping routes adapted to environmental and socio-political changes. Using a multiscale methodological approach, researchers characterized the transformation patterns, challenging assumptions about the dominance of Inca infrastructure in Andean transportation history.
The thrive for a new heritage ethos in Peru?: The Qhapaq Ñan’s policymaking and the ethics of community participation
Peru's Qhapaq Ñan Project, an Inca road system inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparked a transformative shift in heritage policymaking by embedding community participation at its core. This study reveals how Peruvian heritage specialists actively redefined their ethical commitments, crafting a participatory framework that transcended passive compliance with international guidelines. Despite legal and ideological constraints, the project integrated formal regulations with informal practices—such as consultation, collaboration, and benefit-sharing—to challenge traditional material-focused paradigms. The research demonstrates that this approach was not merely procedural but an assertive ethical stance, reshaping heritage values and practices in Peru.
Characterization of Geoheritage and Geotourism Potential of the Fluvial-Glacial Landscapes in the Culebrillas Lagoon (Ecuador)
Culebrillas Lagoon, a glacio-lacustrine landscape in Ecuador's southern Andes, harbors significant geoheritage and geotourism potential. This study identifies its fluvio-glacial morphologies as key elements that, when combined with cultural heritage—such as Inca and Cañari traditions, myths, and the Qhapaq Ñan road system—offer a holistic socio-environmental value. The research employs a comprehensive approach to characterize these landscapes, revealing their intrinsic worth for sustainable geotourism development. By integrating geoheritage with local legends and historical vestiges, the study underscores Culebrillas Lagoon's untapped potential as both an ecological treasure and a cultural landmark.
La ruta colonial de Potosí a Cobija y la vieja nueva praxis de modelos andinos mercantiles
Research on the Potosí-Cobija colonial route reveals that native Andean transport practices, independent of official infrastructure, played a pivotal role in early mercantile flows. Archaeological and historical evidence, including traditional rest stops (pascanas) and shepherd settlements, suggests a fusion of Andean and Spanish mercantile models during Inca and Bourbon periods. The study combines XVIII and XIX-century documents with remote sensing and surveys to localize the route, uncovering its continuous evolution from Inca road canons to post-Toledo merchantilization and eventual adaptation of Bourbon dictates post-independence.
Heritage routes and multiple narratives. The Inca Road System (Qhapaq Ñan, Camino principal andino / Andean road system): a specific case of a non-tourism heritage route?
The Qhapaq Ñan, a 4,000 km Andean road system spanning six countries, offers a unique case study of transnational cultural heritage and its complex narratives. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, this ancient Inca route reveals conflicting interpretations of its historical significance, with shared but contested remembrance among stakeholders. The study highlights the geopolitical dimensions of heritage development, where tourism—particularly ecotourism—is both embraced and rejected, reflecting broader tensions in the appropriation and preservation of fragmented heritage routes. By analyzing multiple narratives, this research underscores the challenges of consensus-building in transnational cultural landscapes.
Incamisana: Engineering an Inca Water Temple
A masterpiece of Inca civil engineering, the Incamisana water temple at Ollantaytambo, Peru, stands as a high-status sanctuary for worship of water. The temple's architecture and hydraulic works, including fourteen ceremonial fountains with three more under construction, showcase intricate planning and execution. Flooding in 1679 preserved its lower portion, offering a unique glimpse into its design. Reverse engineering field research, paleohydrological studies, and archaeological investigations revealed the temple's sophisticated water supply system, canals, and conduit/distribution network. Cliff carvings parallel to the temple add a mystical dimension, while Inca roads connected Ollantaytambo to the broader empire, underscoring its cultural significance.
Proposing a Digital Information System for the Management and Conservation of the Qhapaq Ñan – Andean Road System
A coordinated digital information system is essential for the management and conservation of Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This ancient infrastructure network, spanning six countries, facilitated social and economic exchanges before the Inca Empire's expansion and continues to shape cultural traditions. While some Latin American nations have adopted digital tools for its preservation, gaps remain in integrated management. The study advocates for an Integrated Digital Model to address these challenges, ensuring unified protection efforts across the region.
Highways to Empire: The Inca Road System
Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, played a dual role in the Inca Empire: it unified vast territories while also contributing to its eventual decline. This extensive network integrated both new and preexisting roads, facilitating communication, trade, and military movement across the empire. The study highlights how the road system's strategic design and maintenance were crucial to imperial cohesion but also exposed vulnerabilities that accelerated its downfall. Research into this ancient infrastructure reveals insights into Inca engineering prowess and the complexities of large-scale empire management.
Innovative Technologies Used to Investigate Segments of the Inca Road
A groundbreaking study of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, reveals sustainable engineering practices employed by the Inca civilization. The research, supported by the National Science Foundation and Smithsonian Institute, utilized advanced technologies such as satellite communication systems, GIS/GPS mapping, photogrammetry, laser range finding, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to analyze the road's design and construction methods in extreme conditions. These findings highlight innovative techniques that could inform modern engineering practices. The study also showcased its discoveries globally through live interactive satellite broadcasts, providing a unique educational experience for visitors at the National Museum of the American Indian.
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