Resumen

ADAN A, Leonor  y  URIBE R, Mauricio. El dominio inca en la localidad de Caspana: Un acercamiento al pensamiento político andino (río Loa, norte de Chile). Estud. atacam. [online]. 2005, n.29, pp. 41-66. ISSN 0718-1043.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-10432005000100003.

This paper presents the archaeological record for five late pre-Hispanic sites located in Caspana, in order to discuss Inca expansion in the upper river Loa basin (Atacama Desert). A first categorization of these sites enables to establish a distinction between: a) locals settlements with low presence of inca features -the case of Aldea Talikuna and Estancia Mulorojte; b) pure inca settlements, which include Cerro Verde, Incahuasi Inca and Vega Salada -mineral, agricultural and/or cattle sites, and c) shared settlements where both identities are displayed in a symbolically laden context _like Los Abuelos cemetery. Our analysis of the material culture associated to these sites suggests a set of significant differences and similarities that would be the result of a direct and planned ruling strategy deployed by the Inca State through elaborately complex symbolical means.

Palabras clave : Inca rule ; Caspana; archaeology of power.