Vilcabamba — Espíritu Pampa (Last Capital of the Inca)
Vilcabamba · Espíritu Pampa
Wari → Inca → Neo-Inca 1200–1572 CE·Neo-Inca (Manco Inca)·🇵🇪 Cusco (La Convención Province), Peru
About
About Vilcabamba — Espíritu Pampa (Last Capital of the Inca)
Last Neo-Inca jungle capital 1536–1572 where Manco Inca resisted Spanish, 12 ha with 300 buildings, Tendi Pampa plaza, burned 1572 Túpac Amaru executed. Recorded context — Period: Wari → Inca → Neo-Inca 1200–1572 CE; Culture: Neo-Inca (Manco Inca); Field status: partially excavated; Materials: fieldstone, limestone; Condition: ruins.
Why it mattersArchaeological landmark for Neo-Inca (Manco Inca) in Cusco (La Convención Province); type-site demonstrating jungle resistance capital and regional exchange.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and chronology of Vilcabamba — Espíritu Pampa (Last Capital of the Inca) within Wari → Inca → Neo-Inca 1200–1572 CE
- 02Relationship to neighboring polities
Theories
- 01Neo-Inca (Manco Inca) ceremonial center for jungle resistance capital
- 02Regional capital controlling trade and tribute network
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.1536–1572 CE
- Period
- Wari → Inca → Neo-Inca 1200–1572 CE
- Culture
- Neo-Inca (Manco Inca)
- Builders
- Neo-Inca
- Purpose
- Jungle resistance capital
- Abandoned
- 1572 captured
- Rediscovered
- 1964 Savoy
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1536–1572 CE
Vilcabamba — Espíritu Pampa (Last Capital of the Inca) construction phase
20th century
Modern excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
Gallery