Columbia University Fieldschool, EcuadorPambamarca Archaeology Project

Summer 2005

Contact Chad Gifford with questions at: chg7@columbia.edu

The Six Highland Basins of Ecuador

The Columbia Fieldschool takes place in

Northern Highland Ecuador along the

eastern edge of the Quito Basin.

Ecuador was invaded by the 11th Inka King,

Huayna Capac.

The chronicles describe battles that took place outside a

fortress.

Specific tribes of Ecuador are mentioned in the

chronicles.

Research Background

The Spanish chronicles relate that the Inkas faced great resistance from indigenous tribes in Northern Highland Ecuador.

P a c i f i c C o a s tPa sto

Pa ísC a ra nq ui

Q uitus

Pa nza le o

M t. C o to p a xi(5911m )

M t. P ic hinc ha(4324m )

M t. C a ya m b a(5796)

A ntisa na(5758m )

Pam bam a rc a

C o c ha sq uí

La ta c ung a

ElQ uinc he

Q uito

C a ya m b e

Ib a rra

M t. Im b a b ura(4000)

O ta va lo

Tulc á n

R. P isq ue

R. G ua ylla b a m b a

R. Na p o

R. C ho taR. M

ira

EC UAD O R

0 km 50

m e te rs

3000+

1200+

F ig u re 1 : N o rth e rn H ig h lan d E cu ad o rT h e ex p an d in g In k a fro n tie r re ach ed th e so u th e rn b o rd e r o f th e P a ís C a ran q u i in c a . A D 1 4 9 0 .

Northern Highland Ecuador

The expanding Inka frontier reached

Pambamarca at the southern border of

the País Caranqui in ca. AD 1490.

The Pambamarca Fortresses

This is a sample of the Pambamarca fortresses that are the focus of the project’s research. Fortresses Pi10 (Quitoloma) was investigated in 2002. Fortress Pi23 (Campana Pucara) was

investigated in 2003.

QuitolomaResearch in 2002 focused on Quitoloma, the largest fortress in Pambamarca. The site overlooks Quito to the west and Volcano

Cayambe to the east.

Quitoloma

This Inka settlement and fortress is over half a

kilometer in length and contains more than 70 stone

structures. This site map was created in 2002 by

project members using a total station.

Looking north across Quitoloma; the Inka ‘kallanka’ is in the foreground at left.

Excavations at Quitoloma

Fieldwork in 2002 included

archaeological excavations at

Quitoloma.

Campana Pucara Research in 2003 focused on Campana Pucara, an Inka fortress located in Pambamarca. The site overlooks Mt. Cayambe.

Technology at Campana Pucara

Fieldwork in 2003 included a remote sensing campaign at

Campana Pucara.

Excavations at Campana Pucara

Fieldwork in 2003 included archaeological excavations at Campana Pucara.

Pi-0011

Pi-0023

Pi-0025 Pi-0019

Sites of Possible Study in 2005

In 2005 the project will consider returning to Campana Pucara (right) as well as

investigating new forts such as those below.

Quito, Ecuador

Quito is the principal point of entry in to Ecuador.

The city sits on the flanks of the Andean volcano Pichincha just above the verdant Quito Basin.

Quito’s colonial past and modern culture provide visitors

to the city with continuous visual lessons in Ecuadorian

history and contemporary life.

Locating Pambamarca

The project’s study area is know as Pambamarca, a mountainous region along the eastern edge of the Quito

Basin. Pambamarca lies on the equator just south of the city of Cayambe.

Cayambe is a modern, busy city that serves as the project’s connection to the

outside world.

Nearby points of interest include the city of Otovalo, Ecuador most colorful and

busy market town; Oyacachi, the connection point between the high

mountains of the Andes and the eastern lowlands of the Amazon; and Quito,

which is an hour’s drive away.

Cayambe

the equator

Pambamarca

The landscapes are expansive and breathtaking. Here a student takes time to write in her journal on top of a natural formation of bedrock.

One of the challenges of working in Pambamarca is hiking to the archaeolgical sites. Here students make

there way up to Quitoloma.

Pambamarca

Pambamarca

Site visits are an important part of learning on the project. Here two student visit one of the windiest sites in Pambamarca. They are walking

on an ‘usnu’, or Inka ceremonial platform.

CangahuaFieldschool students live in the town of

Cangahua (below), which lies in the heart of Pambamarca.

The project has assembled a dormitory-styled housing for project

participants (right).

Participants and guests have the option of staying in a local colonial

Hacienda (below right).

Cangahua Fiestas

In late June Cangahua hosts a week-long series of festivals. People travel from neighboring communities to participate in different cultural events that

include dancing, singing and bull fighting.

…on the equator: Chad in the Southern

Hemisphere; his dad in the Northern Hemisphere.

…at the archaeological site of Cochasqui: Angela feeds the friendly llamas.

…at a local archaeological museum: please hold the vessels with two hands!

Project participants enjoying themselves…

View of Mt. Cayambe from Pambamarca