World Heritage Identification Number: 1116
World Heritage since: 2003
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Natural Landscapes & Geographic Features
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇦🇷 Argentina
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Exploring the Cultural Landscape of Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, a stunning mountain valley nestled within the province of Jujuy in northwest Argentina, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Stretching approximately 155 kilometers from north to south, this picturesque valley is characterized by its dramatic landscapes, vibrant indigenous cultures, and significant historical sites that have shaped the region's identity for thousands of years.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Quebrada de Humahuaca follows the line of a major cultural route, the Camino Inca, along the spectacular valley of the Rio Grande, from its source in the cold high desert plateau of the High Andean lands to its confluence with the Rio Leone some 150 km to the south. The valley shows substantial evidence of its use as a major trade route over the past 10,000 years. It features visible traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities, of the Inca Empire (15th to 16th centuries) and of the fight for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): The Quebrada de Humahuaca valley has been used over the past 10,000 years as a crucial passage for the transport of people and ideas from the high Andean lands to the plains. Criteria (iv) and (v): The Quebrada de Humahuaca valley reflects the way its strategic position has engendered settlement, agriculture and trade. Its distinctive pre-Hispanic and pre-Incan settlements, as a group with their associated field systems, form a dramatic addition to the landscape and one that can certainly be called outstanding.
Encyclopedia Record: Quebrada de Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a narrow mountain valley located in the province of Jujuy in northwest Argentina, 1,649 km (1,025 mi) north of Buenos Aires. It is about 155 km (96 mi) long, oriented north–south, bordered by the Altiplano in the west and north, by the Sub-Andean hills in the east, and by the warm valleys in the south.Additional Site Details
Area: 172,116.4 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: -23.19986111 , -65.34886111
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World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Quebrada de Humahuaca from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Pre‐Hispanic Mortuary Practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca (North‐Western Argentina): Genetic Relatedness among Individuals Buried in the Same Grave
A genetic analysis of pre-Hispanic mortuary practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals high levels of kinship among individuals buried together. By examining autosomal and uniparental DNA markers from two archaeological sites dating to the Late Formative (1450–1050 BP) and Regional Developments I (1050–700 BP) periods, researchers identified strong maternal and paternal relatedness in collective graves. This suggests that such burials were likely reserved for close family members, providing new insights into the social significance of death in these ancient societies. The study's findings, though limited to two cases, underscore the potential of ancient DNA in reconstructing mortuary behaviors and familial structures in UNESCO-listed sites like Quebrada de Humahuaca.
Russo, M. G., Mendisco, F., Avena, S. A., Dejean, C. B., & Seldes, V. (2016). Pre‐Hispanic Mortuary Practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca (North‐Western Argentina): Genetic Relatedness among Individuals Buried in the Same Grave. Annals of Human Genetics, 80(4), 210–220. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/ahg.12159
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The Maastrichtian–Danian Maimará tracksite (Yacoraite Formation, Salta Group), Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina: environments and ichnofacies implications
A significant discovery of dinosaur and other vertebrate tracks from the late Cretaceous to early Paleogene period (Maastrichtian–Danian) has been made in the Maimará tracksite, part of the Yacoraite Formation within Argentina's Quebrada de Humahuaca. This site provides critical insights into paleoenvironments and ichnofacies during a transitional phase marked by significant climatic and ecological changes. The research combines sedimentological analysis with detailed ichnological study to reconstruct the depositional conditions, trackmakers' behavior, and environmental dynamics of this region. The findings contribute to understanding the biodiversity and paleoecology of the Salta Group, offering new perspectives on the evolutionary history of vertebrates during a pivotal period in Earth's history.
Cónsole-Gonella, C., de Valais, S., Marquillas, R. A., & Sánchez, M. C. (2017). The Maastrichtian–Danian Maimará tracksite (Yacoraite Formation, Salta Group), Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina: environments and ichnofacies implications. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 468, 327–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.11.008
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Assembling ritual, the burden of the everyday: an exercise in relational ontology in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
Ritual practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, are not isolated from everyday life but are deeply embedded within social performance and relational ontology. This challenges traditional dualistic views that separate ritual from common activities. The study employs a relational approach to ritual, emphasizing its role in social structures and bridging the gap between the sacred and the mundane. By analyzing contemporary archaeological contexts, it argues that ritual is an integral part of how societies perform and maintain their identities.
Angelo, D. (2014). Assembling ritual, the burden of the everyday: an exercise in relational ontology in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina. World Archaeology, 46(2), 270–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2014.891948
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Genetic Diversity of a Late Prehispanic Group of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northwestern Argentina
A late prehispanic group from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northwestern Argentina, exhibited significant genetic diversity with affinities to both Central Andean highlands and contemporary admixed Chaco communities. This suggests a complex evolutionary history shaped by regional interactions and demographic events such as the expansion of the Inca Empire and European colonization. The study analyzed DNA from 39 individuals dating to the Regional Development period (11th–15th centuries CE), revealing distinct maternal and paternal genetic lineages. Findings also indicate a geographical organization of prehispanic populations, divided between two spheres of interaction, aligning with craniometric evidence.
Mendisco, F., Keyser, C., Seldes, V., Rivolta, C., Mercolli, P., Cruz, P., Nielsen, A. E., Crubezy, E., & Ludes, B. (2014). Genetic Diversity of a Late Prehispanic Group of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northwestern Argentina. Annals of Human Genetics, 78(5), 367–380. https://doi.org/10.1111/ahg.12075
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Violence indicators in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina: The Regional Development Period from a regional perspective
A high frequency of interpersonal violence-related trauma was identified among populations from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, during the Late Regional Development Period (1250–1430 AD). Bioarchaeological analysis of 153 skulls from three sites—Los Amarillos, La Huerta, and Yacoraite—revealed that most injuries were antemortem, indicating survivors. Violence affected both men and women equally across age groups but varied geographically, with the highest trauma frequency at Yacoraite and trophy skulls predominantly found at La Huerta. Nonparametric statistical tests confirmed these differences, providing evidence of social conflict during this period.
Seldes, V., & Botta, F. N. (2014). Violence indicators in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina: The Regional Development Period from a regional perspective. Anthropological Review, 77(1), 87–109. https://doi.org/10.2478/anre-2014-0008
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Biofacies and palaeoenvironments of conodonts in Cambro‐Ordovician sequences of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cordillera Oriental of Jujuy, Argentina
A study of conodont biofacies in the Santa Rosita Formation, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals distinct palaeoenvironmental patterns linked to shallow and deeper water environments. Three biofacies were identified: Variabiloconus–Teridontus (unconstrained by environment), Utahconus–Acanthodus (associated with shallow-water sandstones), and Tilcarodus–Drepanoistodus (dominant in deeper siliciclastic lithofacies). The analysis suggests a nektobenthic lifestyle for Utahconus and Acanthodus, while other taxa exhibit pelagic adaptations. The faunal composition indicates a mix of Baltic, Laurentian, and endemic Gondwanan species, confirming the presence of an oceanic corridor facilitating faunal migration during the late Cambrian–early Ordovician.
Zeballo, F. J., & Albanesi, G. L. (2012). Biofacies and palaeoenvironments of conodonts in Cambro‐Ordovician sequences of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cordillera Oriental of Jujuy, Argentina. Geological Journal, 48(2-3), 194–211. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.2435
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Debris flood hazard documentation and mitigation on the Tilcara alluvial fan (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy province, North-West Argentina)
A recent study identifies debris flood hazards on the Tilcara alluvial fan in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, threatening urban areas and transportation routes. The research documents decadal debris floods triggered by the Huasamayo Stream, emphasizing the urgent need for hazard assessment and mitigation strategies to protect the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site from increasing vulnerability due to tourism and urbanization. The study proposes cost-effective solutions, such as constructing an upstream dam and artificial channel to divert floodwaters, using locally available technologies with minimal environmental impact. These measures aim to balance conservation efforts with safe exploitation for inhabitants and tourists.
Marcato, G., Bossi, G., Rivelli, F., & Borgatti, L. (2012). Debris flood hazard documentation and mitigation on the Tilcara alluvial fan (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy province, North-West Argentina). Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 12(6), 1873–1882. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-12-1873-2012
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Estudio de Pigmentos en Alfarería Estilo Negro Sobre Rojo de Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
A groundbreaking analysis of pigments in the iconic 'Negro sobre Rojo' pottery style from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals significant insights into its technological attributes and chronological variability. Researchers employed a combination of advanced techniques—including optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy—to unravel the compositional intricacies of these artifacts. The study's multi-disciplinary approach, involving collaboration with various specialists, allowed for nuanced interpretations that shed light on the cultural and temporal dimensions of this archaeological tradition. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the region's ceramic practices but also highlight the potential of integrating diverse analytical methods to reconstruct historical narratives.
Acevedo, V. J., López, M. A., Freire, E., Halac, E. B., Polla, G., & Reinoso, M. (2012). ESTUDIO DE PIGMENTOS EN ALFARERÍA ESTILO NEGRO SOBRE ROJO DE QUEBRADA DE HUMAHUACA, JUJUY, ARGENTINA. Boletín Del Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, 17(2), 39–51. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-68942012000200004
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Espacios rituales y cultura material en un sitio arqueológico Humahuaca- Inca (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina)
Archaeological evidence from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals that Inca material culture persisted even during periods of Spanish influence. The study analyzed burial practices and mortuary offerings at Esquina de Huajra, a Humahuaca-Inca settlement, showing that secondary interments, ossuaries, and primary burials in vessels were common. Notable findings included the presence of bird crania and pigments (red, yellow, green, orange, and blue) among grave goods. This suggests that Inca lifestyle and social structures remained largely intact despite Spanish encroachment, indicating the resilience of preexisting interaction networks.
Cremonte, M. B., & Gheggi, M. S. (2012). Espacios rituales y cultura material en un sitio arqueológico Humahuaca- Inca (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina). Revista Española de Antropología Americana, 42(1). https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_reaa.2012.v42.n1.38633
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Ideología y espacio: conquista Inka en la quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
The Inka Empire's conquest of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina, was not merely driven by economic or logistical motivations but was deeply rooted in ideological and spatial strategies. This study reveals that the Inka imposed their worldview through the production and restructuring of socially constructed space, demonstrating a sophisticated process of domination. By analyzing the relationship between ideology and space, the research sheds light on how the Tawantinsuyu (Inka Empire) reshaped conquered territories, particularly at the La Huerta archaeological site. The findings challenge conventional explanations by emphasizing the role of spatial organization as a key component in social processes during conquest.
Leibowicz, I. (2012). Ideología y espacio: conquista Inka en la quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina. Revista Chilena de Antropología, 0(25). https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-1472.2012.20285
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Técnicas Arqueométricas Combinadas Aplicadas al Análisis de Diseños de Alfarería "Tricolor" de Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
A combined application of archaeometric techniques has revealed significant insights into the design patterns of tricolor pottery from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina. The study identified distinct stylistic elements and manufacturing processes that provide a deeper understanding of the cultural and technological practices of ancient societies in the region. By analyzing surface designs on ceramic fragments using advanced methods, researchers were able to trace the evolution of pottery styles and their potential symbolic or functional significance. This approach offers a novel way to interpret archaeological data, bridging gaps between material culture and historical context.
Marte, F., Acevedo, V. J., & Mastrangelo, N. (2012). TÉCNICAS ARQUEOMÉTRICAS COMBINADAS APLICADAS AL ANÁLISIS DE DISEÑOS DE ALFARERÍA “TRICOLOR” DE QUEBRADA DE HUMAHUACA, JUJUY, ARGENTINA. Boletín Del Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, 17(2), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-68942012000200005
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