Abstract

NIELSEN, Axel E. Plazas para los antepasados: Descentralización y poder corporativo en las formaciones políticas preincaicas de los Andes circumpuneños. Estud. atacam. [online]. 2006, n.31, pp. 63-89. ISSN 0718-1043.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-10432006000100006.

We propose that several practices of decentralized government and corporate resource appropriation observed in the Andes by the European conquerors in the 16th century were already present among Circumpuna societies during the Late Regional Developments Period (AD 1250-1430). To support this statement, we begin by considering some ethonhistorically documented political practices related to segmentary integration and ancestor veneration, putting emphasis on some of the material correlates that could be associated with them. Then, we present the results of archaeological research conducted in the plazas and associated structures of two large Circumpuna, nucleated settlements that were used during the 14^th century -Los Amarillos (quebrada de Humahuaca) and Laqaya (North Lípez)- demonstrating the presence of evidences derived from those practices

Keywords : Regional Developments Period ; Humahuaca; Lípez; ancestor worship; chullpas; corporative practices; social complexity.