Timing the Sacred: A Multi-Step Chronological Framework for the Llullaillaco Inca Burial

Abstract

Absolute radiocarbon dating offers high precision, but its application to historical contexts, such as the Inca civilization, requires a rigorous methodological approach. This research examines methods to enhance chronological accuracy through a case study of artifacts from the Llullaillaco Capacocha sacrifice. Focusing on short-lived organic remains, it combines radiocarbon and stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen) to produce accurate age estimates aligned with ritual activity. To overcome hemispheric calibration issues, the study uses simulation and chronological modeling to refine temporal frameworks. This strategy advances our understanding of Inca ritual timing and broader cultural developments beyond colonial accounts by highlighting the late performance of the capacocha ritual in the context of the Inca Empire.