The Image of Cusco Inka in History: Notes on Architecture and Archeology for His Re-Interpretation

Abstract

Although with a not so old past, the historical American cities have developed the same patterns of historical overlap as the European ones. The problems are similar and throughout the 20th century they have led the development of a «historical archeology» with its own characteristics. In the last forty years, the archaeological study of historical centers has been developed in practically all the countries of America, and is a viable model in the Latin American tradition of management of historic cities. The reconstruction of the urban layout of Cusco as capital and center of the Tawantinsuyu is, in many aspects, an archaeological task still pending. In spite of the important studies carried out until now, there is no consensus on the form that the old city had and, consequently, the images of the Incas spaces included in popular editions, popular books and tourist guides are incomplete and sometimes distorted. The study cites chronological, historical references, written, archaeological and architectural sources for reinterpretation through the application of the urban methodology of the inka trace of the city of Cusco, describing important works and incidents carried out in recent decades. Finally understand the keys to a balanced and sustainable development for the archaeological future of historic cities. It go through to recover and enhance the old idea of multidisciplinary teams, from the desirable perspective of cooperation between architects, engineers, archaeologists, anthropologists and historians.