Inkilltambo
Inca Tambo · Inkill Tambo
Late Horizon (c.1430–1532 CE) Inca·Inca·🇵🇪 Cusco, Cusco Province, San Sebastián, Peru
About
About Inkilltambo
Inkilltambo is a large Inca terrace-estate 2 km east of central Cusco on the Watanay's right bank at 3,520 m. Attributed to Inca Roca–Pachakutiq, it comprises a 500m-long artificial andén platform faced in polygonal andesite that supports a rectangular kallanka (40m), niched halls, fountains and canal drops fed by the Saphy aqueduct. The terrace system converted marshy valley floor into elite agricultural-company land within the early Inca heartland, integrated to the Qhapaq Ñan ring-terrace and the Sacsayhuamán–Pukara channeled system. Despite modern housing pressure, Ministry of Culture reconnaissance shows preserved cloister-like compounds and hydraulic rockwork.
Why it mattersInkilltambo is a large Inca terrace-estate 2 km east of central Cusco on the Watanay's right bank at 3,520 m. Attributed to Inca Roca–Pachakutiq, it comprises a 500m-long artificial andén platform faced in polygonal andesite that supports a rectangular kallanka (40m), niched halls, fountains and can Type-site defining regional sequence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction
- 02Function of elite vs communal architecture
Theories
- 01Regional capital coordinating irrigation and exchange
- 02Ritual-ceremonial amphitheatre aligned to astronomy
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1430–1500 CE
- Period
- Late Horizon (c.1430–1532 CE) Inca
- Culture
- Inca
- Builders
- Inca (Inca Roca / Pachakutiq)
- Purpose
- Inca valley-floor elite estate with canals, andenes and kallanka overlooking Watanay, part of the Qhapaq Ñan ring around Cusco
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1430–1500 CE
Initial construction
c.800–900 CE
Major occupation / refurbishment
c.1000–1532
Late horizon / Inca incorporation where applicable
On the ground
Structures & features
13.5230° S · 71.9560° W · 3520 m · 2 mapped features
Kallanka and Niched Hall Compound
structure40×12m Inca kallanka with trapezoidal niches on 500m terrace platform
13.5228° S · 71.9559° WSaphy Aqueduct Canal and Fountain Drops
hydraulic1.2 km stone-lined canal with fountain basins and hydraulic drops along terrace front
13.5233° S · 71.9562° W
Gallery