PRINCIPIOS ORIENTADORES Y METODOLOGÍA PARA EL ESTUDIO DEL QHAPAQÑAN EN ATACAMA: DESDE EL PORTEZUELO DEL INKA HASTA RÍO GRANDE

Abstract

Theoretical and methodological principles are used for investigating a segment of the Inka Road in the Puna de Atacama, in far northeastern Chile. Andean oral tradition and toponymic studies (the study of place names) were incorporated within the framework of the notion of "cultural landscapes." The instruments devised to register and characterize different types of roads and paths (regional, local, mining, or sacred) are presented. Compiled data was integrated into a geographic information system (GIS). This study demonstrates the value of toponymic studies in tracing and identifying the influence of ancient cultures on today's landscape and in confirming hypotheses regarding the significance that the Andean cultures gave to paths and trails. The article also provides an addendum with information sheets and graphic illustrations used to depict the paths. [Editor's note: as of February 2008, this article was available online at:http://www.scielo.cl/pdf/chungara/v36n2/art17.pdf]