why blame smallpox?1 why blame smallpox? the death of huayna capac & the demographic destruction...

Why Blame Smallpox? 1

Why Blame Smallpox?Why Blame Smallpox?The Death of Huayna Capac & the The Death of Huayna Capac & the

Demographic Destruction of Tawantinsuyu Demographic Destruction of Tawantinsuyu (Ancient Peru)(Ancient Peru)

Robert McCaaRobert McCaa

Aleta NimlosAleta Nimlos

Teodoro Hampe-MartTeodoro Hampe-Martííneznez

www.hist.umn.edu/~rmccaa/aha2004www.hist.umn.edu/~rmccaa/aha2004


Why Blame Smallpox?Why Blame Smallpox?

I. Aleta NimlosI. Aleta NimlosIntroduction Introduction Ancient chronicles and modern historiesAncient chronicles and modern histories

II. Robert McCaaII. Robert McCaaEarly Quechua dictionariesEarly Quechua dictionariesAbsence of pockmarked survivorsAbsence of pockmarked survivorsNew insights from eradicating smallpoxNew insights from eradicating smallpox

III. Aleta Nimlos (for Dr. Hampe-MartIII. Aleta Nimlos (for Dr. Hampe-Martíínez)nez)The Mummy of Huayna CapacThe Mummy of Huayna CapacReflectionsReflections

The 11The 11thth Inca, Inca, Huayna CapacHuayna Capac


OverviewOverview

I. The historical canon blames smallpox for: I. The historical canon blames smallpox for: killing Huayna Capac andkilling Huayna Capac anddestroying much of the population of Tawantinsuyu before Pizarro’s conquest destroying much of the population of Tawantinsuyu before Pizarro’s conquest Evidence is based on a few, selected chronicles (Table 1) and rests almost Evidence is based on a few, selected chronicles (Table 1) and rests almost solely on the episode of Huayna Capacsolely on the episode of Huayna Capac

II. Recent histories (Table 2) do not give due regard to II. Recent histories (Table 2) do not give due regard to a broad range of evidence (or lack thereof): a broad range of evidence (or lack thereof):

linguistic (Tables 3 and 4)linguistic (Tables 3 and 4)narrative (lack of descriptions of pockmarked survivors)narrative (lack of descriptions of pockmarked survivors)archaeological archaeological

nor to new epidemiological findings on smallpoxnor to new epidemiological findings on smallpoxSignificance of pockmarked survivors to determine presence of the diseaseSignificance of pockmarked survivors to determine presence of the diseaseLow communicability of the diseaseLow communicability of the disease

III. Finally, there is the mummy: III. Finally, there is the mummy: descriptions, depictions, and, perhaps, the remainsdescriptions, depictions, and, perhaps, the remains

IV. Reflections: Exceedingly unlikely that smallpox was responsible: IV. Reflections: Exceedingly unlikely that smallpox was responsible: For the death of Huayna CapacFor the death of Huayna CapacOr, before 1558, for the demographic destruction of Ancient PeruOr, before 1558, for the demographic destruction of Ancient PeruThere is an alternative explanation (Assadourian 1994): decades of civil war, There is an alternative explanation (Assadourian 1994): decades of civil war, devastation and destruction devastation and destruction

Mummy of Mummy of Huayna CapacHuayna Capac

Ramses V, d. 1157 BCRamses V, d. 1157 BC


I. Ancient Chronicles and I. Ancient Chronicles and Modern HistoriesModern Histories


Chronicles (Table 1—1533-57)Chronicles (Table 1—1533-57)

The historical canon blames smallpox for: The historical canon blames smallpox for: killing Huayna Capac andkilling Huayna Capac anddestroying much of the population of Tawantinsuyu before Pizarro destroying much of the population of Tawantinsuyu before Pizarro

Evidence is based on a few, selected chronicles and refers Evidence is based on a few, selected chronicles and refers solely to the episode of Huayna Capac (Table 1)solely to the episode of Huayna Capac (Table 1)Recent histories (Table 2) do not take into account Recent histories (Table 2) do not take into account

a broad range of evidence (or lack thereof): a broad range of evidence (or lack thereof): linguistic (Tables 3 and 4)linguistic (Tables 3 and 4)narrative (lack of descriptions of pockmarked survivors)narrative (lack of descriptions of pockmarked survivors)archaeological archaeological

nor new epidemiological findings on smallpoxnor new epidemiological findings on smallpoxLow communicability of the diseaseLow communicability of the diseaseSignificance of pockmarked survivors to determine presence of the Significance of pockmarked survivors to determine presence of the diseasedisease

Finally, there is the mummy: Finally, there is the mummy: descriptions, depictions, and, perhaps, de remainsdescriptions, depictions, and, perhaps, de remains

Table 1. 19 Early Primary Sources Describing the Death of the Inca Huayna Capac Table 1. 19 Early Primary Sources Describing the Death of the Inca Huayna Capac and the Origin and Year of the Illness by Author and Year Text was Completedand the Origin and Year of the Illness by Author and Year Text was Completed

YearYear AuthorAuthor

Death of Inca Huayna CapacDeath of Inca Huayna Capac

YearYear Description (with page number)Description (with page number)

15331533 Francisco de XerezFrancisco de Xerez 15241524 115: Atahualpa, attributes death to “115: Atahualpa, attributes death to “aquella aquella enfermedadenfermedad””

c.1539c.1539 The anonymous soldierThe anonymous soldier(Miguel de Estete or (Miguel de Estete or Cristobal de Mena)Cristobal de Mena)

138: “y Guaynacapa se fué en jornada a 138: “y Guaynacapa se fué en jornada a Popayán, y de vuelta que volvió Popayán, y de vuelta que volvió murió en murió en QuitoQuito.”.”

15431543 Pedro Sancho de la Pedro Sancho de la HozHoz

Mummy mentioned, but not cause of death.Mummy mentioned, but not cause of death.

15441544 *Cristóbal Vaca de *Cristóbal Vaca de CastroCastro

22: “se estaba muriendo de la pestilencia de las 22: “se estaba muriendo de la pestilencia de las viruelasviruelas””

15501550 *Pedro de Cieza de *Pedro de Cieza de LeónLeón

15271527-28-28

200: “200: “cuentan quecuentan que vino una gran pestilencia de vino una gran pestilencia de viruelasviruelas tan contajiosa que murieron más de tan contajiosa que murieron más de dozientas mill ánimas”dozientas mill ánimas”

15571557 Juan de BetanzosJuan de Betanzos(published 1987)(published 1987)

15261526-28-28

201: An illness that took away his reason and 201: An illness that took away his reason and understanding and gave him “understanding and gave him “sarna y leprasarna y lepra”.”.

……//


Discussion of chroniclesDiscussion of chronicles(see table 1)(see table 1)

The death of Huayna Capac was central to the Christian conquest, because The death of Huayna Capac was central to the Christian conquest, because Pizarro took advantage of the war of succession between Atahualpa and Pizarro took advantage of the war of succession between Atahualpa and Huascar to defeat the divided empire.Huascar to defeat the divided empire.

Table 1 summarizes key texts of 19 chroniclesTable 1 summarizes key texts of 19 chronicles3 accounts based on best native testimony do not indicate smallpox: 3 accounts based on best native testimony do not indicate smallpox:

Francisco de Xerez (1533): “aquella enfermedad”Francisco de Xerez (1533): “aquella enfermedad”Juan de Betanzos (1557): “una sarna y una lepra”Juan de Betanzos (1557): “una sarna y una lepra”Garcilaso de la Vega (1613): “enfermedad de calenturas”Garcilaso de la Vega (1613): “enfermedad de calenturas”

Accounts are contradictory Accounts are contradictory Of 19 most frequently cited/important chronicles, 6 state solely smallpoxOf 19 most frequently cited/important chronicles, 6 state solely smallpox13 others, various causes: perlesia, pestilencia/lepra incurable, mortales 13 others, various causes: perlesia, pestilencia/lepra incurable, mortales calenturas, epidemia de romadizo, sarampion, melancolia, bubascalenturas, epidemia de romadizo, sarampion, melancolia, bubasCieza de Leon (1550) conditions the smallpox story with “cuentan que”Cieza de Leon (1550) conditions the smallpox story with “cuentan que”Martin de Murua (1590) “unos dicen…de calenturas, y otros dicen…de viruelas”Martin de Murua (1590) “unos dicen…de calenturas, y otros dicen…de viruelas”Garcilaso discounts smallpox: “aunque otros dicen de virguelas y sarampion”Garcilaso discounts smallpox: “aunque otros dicen de virguelas y sarampion”


Modern HistoriesModern Histories(see table 2)(see table 2)

Table 2 classifies principal modern histories by sources cited.Table 2 classifies principal modern histories by sources cited.The more skeptical histories note that evidence is scanty and contradictoryThe more skeptical histories note that evidence is scanty and contradictory

Polo (1913)Polo (1913)Lastres (1951, 1954, 1957): “inclined” toward smallpoxLastres (1951, 1954, 1957): “inclined” toward smallpoxHemming (1970), Assadourian (1987/94), Guerra (1999)Hemming (1970), Assadourian (1987/94), Guerra (1999)

The Virgin Soil School explains away contradictions and writes as though a The Virgin Soil School explains away contradictions and writes as though a virgin soil epidemic engulfed the Andean peoples before 1531virgin soil epidemic engulfed the Andean peoples before 1531

Dobyns (1963), Crosby (1972), Cook (1998), Alchon (2003)Dobyns (1963), Crosby (1972), Cook (1998), Alchon (2003)

Assadourian’s well-documented counter-argument (1987/94) is ignoredAssadourian’s well-documented counter-argument (1987/94) is ignoredMeta-narratives blame smallpox, without equivocationMeta-narratives blame smallpox, without equivocation

McNeill (1976) McNeill (1976) Plagues and PeoplesPlagues and PeoplesDiamond (1997) Diamond (1997) Guns, Germs and SteelGuns, Germs and SteelOldstone (1998) Oldstone (1998) Viruses, Plagues and HistoryViruses, Plagues and HistoryTucker (2001) Tucker (2001) Scourge: The Once and Future Threat of SmallpoxScourge: The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox


Table 2. Inferring Cause of Death of the Inca Huayna Capac:Table 2. Inferring Cause of Death of the Inca Huayna Capac:Primary Source Cited (ordered by year of composition) Primary Source Cited (ordered by year of composition)

by Secondary Source (with year of publication)by Secondary Source (with year of publication)

AuthorAuthor CauseCause

PPOOLLOO‘13‘13

LLAASSTTRREESS‘54‘54

DDOOBBYYNNSS’63’63

HHEEMMMMIINNGG‘70‘70

CCRROOSSBBYY‘72‘72

ASASSASADUDURIRIANAN[87][87]’94’94

CCOOOOKK’98’98

GGUUEERRRRA A ‘99‘99

AALLCCHHOONN‘03‘03

Total sources citedTotal sources cited 66 1111 77 1010 99 1010 66 1212 77

Smallpox sources citedSmallpox sources cited 33 55 33 33 44 55 33 44 33

*Vaca de *Vaca de CastroCastro

ViruelasViruelas XX YesYes .. .. .. YesYes .. .. ..

*Cieza de León*Cieza de León ViruelasViruelas YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes

BetanzosBetanzos Sarna y Sarna y lepralepra

XX XX XX XX XX XX YesYes YesYes ..

BorreganBorregan PerlesíaPerlesía XX YesYes .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

*Pizarro*Pizarro ViruelasViruelas YesYes YesYes .. .. YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes ..

Sarmiento de Sarmiento de GamboaGamboa

FeversFevers YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes YesYes


II. New Evidence II. New Evidence plus New Insights from the plus New Insights from the

Eradication of SmallpoxEradication of Smallpox


New Evidence—and lack thereofNew Evidence—and lack thereofLinguistic evidence from early Quechua dictionaries (Table 3)Linguistic evidence from early Quechua dictionaries (Table 3)

Santo Domingo (1560)—compiled in 1540s, no Quechua term for Santo Domingo (1560)—compiled in 1540s, no Quechua term for smallpoxsmallpox““Ricardo” (1586)—muru oncoy, Quechua term for smallpox, also for Ricardo” (1586)—muru oncoy, Quechua term for smallpox, also for measles (Ricardo was the publisher; author = Padre Alonso de Barzana)measles (Ricardo was the publisher; author = Padre Alonso de Barzana)Gonzalez Holguin (1608)—distinguished smallpox (hGonzalez Holguin (1608)—distinguished smallpox (huchuy muru vncuy) uchuy muru vncuy) from measles (hfrom measles (hatun muru vncuy) and recorded 3 literal descriptorsatun muru vncuy) and recorded 3 literal descriptors

Analysis by historiansAnalysis by historiansLastres (1954): lack of smallpox term in Santo Domingo proved the Lastres (1954): lack of smallpox term in Santo Domingo proved the disease did not exist in Peru before 1492 (to counter contrary thesis by a disease did not exist in Peru before 1492 (to counter contrary thesis by a contemporary)contemporary)

Might the lack of a term also signal the absence of smallpox before 1557?Might the lack of a term also signal the absence of smallpox before 1557?

Cook (1998): uses Ricardo dictionary to interpret Betanzos’ “sarna y Cook (1998): uses Ricardo dictionary to interpret Betanzos’ “sarna y lepra” (77: “symptoms of severe skin rash and inflammations”)lepra” (77: “symptoms of severe skin rash and inflammations”)

The terms may also refer to any of a number of other diseases.The terms may also refer to any of a number of other diseases.


New Evidence—and lack thereof:New Evidence—and lack thereof:Indeed there is no term for smallpox in Santo Indeed there is no term for smallpox in Santo

Tomas vs. later dictionaries (Table 3—abridged)Tomas vs. later dictionaries (Table 3—abridged) Table 3. Quechua Terms Related to Illness in Three Early DictionariesTable 3. Quechua Terms Related to Illness in Three Early Dictionaries

SpanishSpanish Santo Tomas (1560)Santo Tomas (1560) ““Ricardo” (1586)Ricardo” (1586) Gonzalez Holguín (1608)Gonzalez Holguín (1608)

Berruga (peca de la cara)Berruga (peca de la cara) Moro, ticti Moro, ticti TictiTicti Ticti; hacerse verruga - tictiyan Ticti; hacerse verruga - tictiyan

BubasBubas .. Huanti, huantictam onconiHuanti, huantictam onconi Tener – Huantictam vnconi huanti vncoytamTener – Huantictam vnconi huanti vncoytam

Enfermedad de manchaEnfermedad de mancha .. Muru onccoyMuru onccoy

LepraLepra CarachaCaracha Caracha llecteCaracha llecte Lluttasca llekte o lluttascca ccarachaLluttasca llekte o lluttascca ccaracha

Mal de viruelas o sarampionMal de viruelas o sarampion Muru vncoyMuru vncoy

Mancha redondeadaMancha redondeada MuruMuru Cundir la mancha – visuinCundir la mancha – visuin Mapam mmizmirin mirarccunMapam mmizmirin mirarccun

Peca de la caraPeca de la cara MoroMoro MircaMirca MircaMirca

Pegar (enfermedad)Pegar (enfermedad) .. .. Vnccoytam rantiycupuniVnccoytam rantiycupuni

PestilenciaPestilencia .. Pahuac oncoyPahuac oncoy P. mal pegajoso = ppahuak vncoy o rantiy P. mal pegajoso = ppahuak vncoy o rantiy rantiy, o ranticuk vnccoyrantiy, o ranticuk vnccoy

SarampionSarampion .. Muru oncoyMuru oncoy Hatun muru vncuyHatun muru vncuy

ViruelasViruelas .. Muru oncoyMuru oncoy Huchuy muru vncuyHuchuy muru vncuy


Table 3 (abridged). Huncuy: ViruelasTable 3 (abridged). Huncuy: Viruelas

SpanishSpanish Santo Tomas (1560)Santo Tomas (1560) ““Ricardo” (1586)Ricardo” (1586) Gonzalez Holguín (1608)Gonzalez Holguín (1608)

Berruga (peca de la cara)Berruga (peca de la cara) Moro, ticti Moro, ticti TictiTicti Ticti; hacerse verruga - tictiyan Ticti; hacerse verruga - tictiyan

BubasBubas .. Huanti, huantictam onconiHuanti, huantictam onconi Tener – Huantictam vnconi huanti vncoytamTener – Huantictam vnconi huanti vncoytam

CalenturasCalenturas Rupay huncuy; con Rupay huncuy; con frío chucchufrío chucchu

Rupay oncoy; con frío Rupay oncoy; con frío chucchuchucchu

Rupay vncuy; tener - Rupaytam vnconi o rupay Rupay vncuy; tener - Rupaytam vnconi o rupay vncoytam vnconi; vncoytam vnconi;

ContagionContagion Pahuac oncoyPahuac oncoy Dolencia – Ppahuak vnccoy ranticuk vnccuyDolencia – Ppahuak vnccoy ranticuk vnccuy

Cundir manchaCundir mancha Mizmini, guiMizmini, gui MiranvisuinMiranvisuin Mapa mirarin o mirarccun mizmirccun Mapa mirarin o mirarccun mizmirccun mizmirinmizmirin

DolenciaDolencia HuncuyHuncuy Oncoy nanayOncoy nanay Vnccuy nanacuy nanayVnccuy nanacuy nanay

Enfermar de calentura y frioEnfermar de calentura y frio .. chucchunichucchuni Chuchuni chucchuhuanmichucchumChuchuni chucchuhuanmichucchum

Enfermedad de manchaEnfermedad de mancha .. Muru onccoyMuru onccoy

Fluxo de sangreFluxo de sangre .. Vsputay yahuarapayVsputay yahuarapay Cencca yahuar hamupayay sutuy vnccoy Cencca yahuar hamupayay sutuy vnccoy

Inficionar a otroInficionar a otro .. Inficionar = rantiniInficionar = rantini Huchantam vnccoynintam rantiycun pahuachinHuchantam vnccoynintam rantiycun pahuachin

LepraLepra CarachaCaracha Caracha llecteCaracha llecte Lluttasca llekte o lluttascca ccarachaLluttasca llekte o lluttascca ccaracha

Mal de viruelas o sarampionMal de viruelas o sarampion Muru vncoyMuru vncoy

Mancha redondeadaMancha redondeada MuruMuru Cundir la mancha – visuinCundir la mancha – visuin Mapam mmizmirin mirarccunMapam mmizmirin mirarccun

Peca de la caraPeca de la cara MoroMoro MircaMirca MircaMirca

Pegar (enfermedad)Pegar (enfermedad) .. .. Vnccoytam rantiycupuniVnccoytam rantiycupuni

PerlesíaPerlesía .. ChiriayoncoyChiriayoncoy Chirirayay vnccoy o çuçunca çuçunca vnccoyChirirayay vnccoy o çuçunca çuçunca vnccoy

PestilenciaPestilencia .. Pahuac oncoyPahuac oncoy P. mal pegajoso = ppahuak vncoy o rantiy P. mal pegajoso = ppahuak vncoy o rantiy rantiy, o ranticuk vnccoyrantiy, o ranticuk vnccoy

RomadizoRomadizo ChulliChulli ChulliChulli ChulliChulli

SarampionSarampion .. Muru oncoyMuru oncoy Hatun muru vncuyHatun muru vncuy

SarnaSarna çulpuyani . gui.oçulpuyani . gui.o CarachaCaracha Caracha; llecte carachaCaracha; llecte caracha

ViruelasViruelas .. Muru oncoyMuru oncoy Huchuy muru vncuyHuchuy muru vncuy

3:03:0 10:310:36:16:1Huncuy vs. ViruelasHuncuy vs. Viruelas(noted by Cook 1998)(noted by Cook 1998)


Descriptions and Descriptions and depictions of pockmarked depictions of pockmarked

individualsindividuals

Será hombre como de cuarenta añSerá hombre como de cuarenta años, de mediana os, de mediana estatura, moderno estatura, moderno

y con unas pecas de viruelas en la cara…y con unas pecas de viruelas en la cara…—description of Inca Titu Cusi Yupanqui—description of Inca Titu Cusi Yupanqui

by Oidor Lic. by Oidor Lic. Don Juan de Matienzo (1565)Don Juan de Matienzo (1565)

Tawantinsuyu, before 1558: no descriptions Tawantinsuyu, before 1558: no descriptions of any pock-marked survivors in the Andesof any pock-marked survivors in the AndesTenochtitlan, 1520: No Spaniard witnessed Tenochtitlan, 1520: No Spaniard witnessed the epidemic, yet decades later they were still the epidemic, yet decades later they were still writing about pockmarked survivorswriting about pockmarked survivors


Tenochtitlan: this illustration depicting Tenochtitlan: this illustration depicting pockmarked individuals from 1520 pockmarked individuals from 1520

epidemic is widely reproduced:epidemic is widely reproduced:

Motolinía writing in the 1530s noted Motolinía writing in the 1530s noted ““hoy día en algunos que de aquella enfermedad escaparon, parece bien la hoy día en algunos que de aquella enfermedad escaparon, parece bien la fortaleza de la enfermedad, que todo el rostro les quedo lleno de hoyos” fortaleza de la enfermedad, que todo el rostro les quedo lleno de hoyos”

López de Gomara completed López de Gomara completed History of the Conquests of CortesHistory of the Conquests of Cortes in 1552. He too remarked on pockmarked faces: in 1552. He too remarked on pockmarked faces:

““los que quedaban vivos quedaron de tal suerte feos por haberse rascado, los que quedaban vivos quedaron de tal suerte feos por haberse rascado, que espantaban á los otros con los muchos y grandes hoyos que se les que espantaban á los otros con los muchos y grandes hoyos que se les hicieron en las caras, manos y cuerpo.”hicieron en las caras, manos y cuerpo.”

Less well known are texts on Mexico written Less well known are texts on Mexico written decades after the epidemic that continued to decades after the epidemic that continued to

remark on ugly, pockmarked faces:remark on ugly, pockmarked faces:

Codice FlorentinoCodice Florentino


Insights from Global Eradication of Insights from Global Eradication of Smallpox: pockmarksSmallpox: pockmarks

Descriptions of pockmarked survivors is an effective Descriptions of pockmarked survivors is an effective means of establishing the presence or absence of means of establishing the presence or absence of smallpoxsmallpox Used by WHO to authenticate the eradication of smallpox Used by WHO to authenticate the eradication of smallpox

in areas with poor record keepingin areas with poor record keeping Historians have also used such evidence to date the Historians have also used such evidence to date the

occurrence of epidemics (e.g., Fenn, occurrence of epidemics (e.g., Fenn, Pox AmericanaPox Americana)) Until there is evidence of pockmarked individuals in Until there is evidence of pockmarked individuals in

the Andes should we not discount the presence of the Andes should we not discount the presence of smallpox prior to 1558?smallpox prior to 1558?


Insights from Global Eradication of Insights from Global Eradication of Smallpox: low communicabilitySmallpox: low communicability

Smallpox was eradicated precisely because of its “fairly low Smallpox was eradicated precisely because of its “fairly low communicability”communicability” Historians have wildly exaggerated the communicability of smallpoxHistorians have wildly exaggerated the communicability of smallpox Scabs readily lose their potency in high heat, humidity or sunlightScabs readily lose their potency in high heat, humidity or sunlight

As a bioterror weapon: “least suitable” because it is “not readily As a bioterror weapon: “least suitable” because it is “not readily transmitted from one person to another” (Behbehani 1988:183)transmitted from one person to another” (Behbehani 1988:183)

Wholly improbable that smallpox leaped ahead of Europeans through the Wholly improbable that smallpox leaped ahead of Europeans through the Darien or Amazon Basin Darien or Amazon Basin Difficulties of travel by land, sea or streamsDifficulties of travel by land, sea or streams Little evidence of trans-isthmian contact even over the millenniaLittle evidence of trans-isthmian contact even over the millennia Native settlements in the region were: “linguistic islands” Native settlements in the region were: “linguistic islands”

According to the WHO, corpses were heavily contaminated and posed a According to the WHO, corpses were heavily contaminated and posed a serious occupational hazardserious occupational hazard Preparation of the mummy of Ramses V (1157 BC) interrupted due to the Preparation of the mummy of Ramses V (1157 BC) interrupted due to the

death of his embalmers? death of his embalmers? Huayna Capac’s mummy was prepared without notable incidentHuayna Capac’s mummy was prepared without notable incident Atahualpa kept a bit of flesh as a talisman, yet suffered no harmAtahualpa kept a bit of flesh as a talisman, yet suffered no harm The mummy was worshipped on the road to Cuzco and remained on display The mummy was worshipped on the road to Cuzco and remained on display

for years—no one ever remarked that people died from viewing itfor years—no one ever remarked that people died from viewing it


III. The mummy of Huayna III. The mummy of Huayna Capac: Descriptions, Capac: Descriptions,

depictions, and de remainsdepictions, and de remains

-- --drawings fromdrawings from Guaman Poma, Guaman Poma, El primer Nueva CorEl primer Nueva Corónica y buen gobiernoónica y buen gobierno

http://www.kb.dk/elib/mss/poma/index-en.htmhttp://www.kb.dk/elib/mss/poma/index-en.htm


Tawantinsuyu: the best known drawing Tawantinsuyu: the best known drawing of Huayna Capac’s mummy does of Huayna Capac’s mummy does notnot depict pockmarks (Guaman Poma):depict pockmarks (Guaman Poma):

Eye-witness descriptions of Huayna Capac’s mummy, but neither Eye-witness descriptions of Huayna Capac’s mummy, but neither mentions pockmarks:mentions pockmarks:

Sancho de la Hoz (1543) referred to the mummy of Huayna Sancho de la Hoz (1543) referred to the mummy of Huayna Capac as being intact, “envuelta en suntuosas ropas y que le Capac as being intact, “envuelta en suntuosas ropas y que le faltaba nada más que la punta de la nariz...”faltaba nada más que la punta de la nariz...”Garcilaso de la Vega (1613): “Acuérdome que llegué a tocar un Garcilaso de la Vega (1613): “Acuérdome que llegué a tocar un dedo de la mano de Huayna Capac; parecía que era de una dedo de la mano de Huayna Capac; parecía que era de una estatua de palo, según estaba duro y fuerte” (vol 1:274).estatua de palo, según estaba duro y fuerte” (vol 1:274).

Why did no Andean cronista remark on what Why did no Andean cronista remark on what would have been an agreeable anecdote?would have been an agreeable anecdote?

Mummy of Huayna CapacMummy of Huayna Capac


379: The mummy 379: The mummy of Huayna Capac of Huayna Capac enroute to Cuzcoenroute to Cuzco Guaman Poma’s Guaman Poma’s

depiction—no signs depiction—no signs of pockmarksof pockmarks

Yet, GP often Yet, GP often depicts facial depicts facial features features


379: The mummy 379: The mummy of Huayna Capac of Huayna Capac enroute to Cuzcoenroute to Cuzco

558: Note 558: Note stigmata on stigmata on Christ’s Christ’s face/torsoface/torso

And And absence of absence of marks on marks on HC’s face.HC’s face.


Guaman Poma, Guaman Poma, El El primer Nueva Corprimer Nueva Corónica ónica

y buen gobiernoy buen gobierno::http://www.kb.dk/elib/mss/pomahttp://www.kb.dk/elib/mss/poma

/index-en.htm/index-en.htm

• p. 453: p. 453: “The execution of “The execution of Tupac Amaru Inka by Tupac Amaru Inka by order of the Viceroy order of the Viceroy Toledo, as distraught Toledo, as distraught Andean nobles lament Andean nobles lament the killing of their the killing of their innocent lord”innocent lord”

• Note depiction of tears.Note depiction of tears.





• p. 659: p. 659: “Wrathful, arrogant “Wrathful, arrogant Dominicans force Dominicans force native women to weave native women to weave for them.”for them.”

• Note the stubble on his Note the stubble on his unshaven face and the unshaven face and the tears flowing from the tears flowing from the weaver’s eyes.weaver’s eyes.


Mummified Mummified remains reveal tell-remains reveal tell-

tale pockmarks tale pockmarks

Mexico, 19Mexico, 19thth century centuryNaples, Naples, 1616thth century century


HistoryHistory

Ground Ground penetrating penetrating radar radar illuminates the illuminates the most promising most promising spots: “grade 1 spots: “grade 1 anomalies”anomalies”

Real Hospital Real Hospital de San Andres:de San Andres:

locating the locating the mummy of mummy of

Huayna CapacHuayna Capac


No pockmarked mummies have No pockmarked mummies have been found anywhere in Peru.been found anywhere in Peru.As more remains are studied:As more remains are studied:

Will it be possible to identify Will it be possible to identify Huayna Capac?Huayna Capac?

Will there be sufficient tissue to Will there be sufficient tissue to identify smallpox?identify smallpox?

Will any mummies be found Will any mummies be found with pockmarks?with pockmarks?

Will a DNA test be developed to Will a DNA test be developed to ascertain smallpox even where ascertain smallpox even where no tissue samples have survived?no tissue samples have survived?


Reflections: Why Blame Smallpox?Reflections: Why Blame Smallpox?

Too many…Too many…Contradictions and contingencies in the chronicles Contradictions and contingencies in the chronicles Silences in the historical recordSilences in the historical record

No mentions of pockmarked survivorsNo mentions of pockmarked survivorsNo mention of smallpox in the earliest dictionaryNo mention of smallpox in the earliest dictionary

ImprobablesImprobablesThat the disease would leap ahead of the Spaniards—through one That the disease would leap ahead of the Spaniards—through one of the most impenetrable regions on the planetof the most impenetrable regions on the planetThat Huayna Capac would die, but not his embalmers or his son That Huayna Capac would die, but not his embalmers or his son Atahualpa who kept some of his father’s fleshAtahualpa who kept some of his father’s flesh

There is a convincing, alternative explanation for the There is a convincing, alternative explanation for the destruction of Tawantinsuyu: destruction of Tawantinsuyu:

decades of war, marauding bands and wanton rapine (Assadourian)decades of war, marauding bands and wanton rapine (Assadourian)The issue is the demographic catastrophe, not Huayna CapacThe issue is the demographic catastrophe, not Huayna Capac

Until there is more persuasive evidence (texts or remains)Until there is more persuasive evidence (texts or remains)the smallpox/virgin soil hypothesis should be discounted for the the smallpox/virgin soil hypothesis should be discounted for the Andean region—before 1558Andean region—before 1558


Why Blame Smallpox?Why Blame Smallpox?The Death of Huayna Capac and the The Death of Huayna Capac and the

Demographic Destruction of Tawantinsuyu Demographic Destruction of Tawantinsuyu (Ancient Peru)(Ancient Peru)

Robert McCaaRobert McCaa

Aleta NimlosAleta Nimlos

Teodoro Hampe-MartTeodoro Hampe-Martííneznez

http:/www.hist.umn.edu/~rmccaa/aha2004http:/www.hist.umn.edu/~rmccaa/aha2004





• p. 310: p. 310: “The Inka's “The Inka's punishments in Anta punishments in Anta Caca of youthful Caca of youthful fornicators, fornicators, thaskikuna thaskikuna waqllispa waqllispa huchallikuqkunahuchallikuqkuna””

• Tears drawn on cheeks Tears drawn on cheeks demonstrate Guaman demonstrate Guaman Poma’s concern with Poma’s concern with details.details.

why blame smallpox?1 why blame smallpox? the death of huayna capac & the demographic destruction...

Documents

huayna capac anddestroying

episode of huayna capac

death of huayna capacor

episode of huayna capacii

selected chronicles

attributes death

narrative lack of descriptions

recent histories table