El Qhapaq Ñan en el valle de Calingasta (San Juan)

Abstract

The Qhapaq Nan crossed the San Juan pre-Andean valleys of Iglesia and Calingasta longitudinally, and its presence in this area (claimed since the mid-twentieth century) has recently been confirmed archaeologically. As part of our studies in central and southern San Juan, we recently surveyed the eastern side of Calingasta valley to find evidence linked to the preservation of the Qhapaq Nan, and to determine the location of this branch of the Inca road on its way towards the north of Mendoza. The search spanned from Calingasta town (ca. 31°20’S, 69°25’W) to approximately 32°04’S. The results obtained indicate the absence of evidences of the path in the north of the valley, clear visibility of the road from the east of Barreal locality (ca. 31°38’ S, 69°28’W) to ca. 31°55 S, and the absence of major Inca structures in the surveyed area.