Columbia University Fieldschool, Ecuador Pambamarca Archaeology Project Summer 2005

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Columbia University Fieldschool,
EcuadorPambamarca Archaeology ProjectSummer 2005

• Contact Chad Gifford with questions at
  chg7_at_columbia.edu

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The Six Highland Basins of Ecuador The Columbia
Fieldschool takes place in Northern Highland
Ecuador along the eastern edge of the Quito Basin.
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Research Background The Spanish chronicles
relate that the Inkas faced great resistance from
indigenous tribes in Northern Highland Ecuador.
Ecuador was invaded by the 11th Inka King, Huayna
Capac.
Specific tribes of Ecuador are mentioned in the
chronicles.
The chronicles describe battles that took place
outside a fortress.
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Northern Highland Ecuador The expanding Inka
frontier reached Pambamarca at the southern
border of the País Caranqui in ca. AD 1490.
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The Pambamarca Fortresses This is a sample of the
Pambamarca fortresses that are the focus of the
projects research. Fortresses Pi10 (Quitoloma)
was investigated in 2002. Fortress Pi23 (Campana
Pucara) was investigated in 2003.
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Quitoloma Research in 2002 focused on Quitoloma,
the largest fortress in Pambamarca. The site
overlooks Quito to the west and Volcano Cayambe
to the east.
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Quitoloma This Inka settlement and fortress is
over half a kilometer in length and contains more
than 70 stone structures. This site map was
created in 2002 by project members using a total
station.
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Looking north across Quitoloma the Inka
kallanka is in the foreground at left.
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Excavations at Quitoloma Fieldwork in 2002
included archaeological excavations at Quitoloma.
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Campana Pucara Research in 2003 focused on
Campana Pucara, an Inka fortress located in
Pambamarca. The site overlooks Mt. Cayambe.
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Technology at Campana Pucara Fieldwork in
2003 included a remote sensing campaign at
Campana Pucara.
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Excavations at Campana Pucara Fieldwork in 2003
included archaeological excavations at Campana
Pucara.
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Pi-0023
Sites of Possible Study in 2005 In 2005 the
project will consider returning to Campana Pucara
(right) as well as investigating new forts such
as those below.
Pi-0025
Pi-0019
Pi-0011
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Quito, Ecuador Quito is the principal point of
entry in to Ecuador. The city sits on the flanks
of the Andean volcano Pichincha just above the
verdant Quito Basin. Quitos colonial past and
modern culture provide visitors to the city with
continuous visual lessons in Ecuadorian history
and contemporary life.
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Locating PambamarcaThe projects study area is
know as Pambamarca, a mountainous region along
the eastern edge of the Quito Basin. Pambamarca
lies on the equator just south of the city of
Cayambe.Cayambe is a modern, busy city that
serves as the projects connection to the outside
world.Nearby points of interest include the
city of Otovalo, Ecuador most colorful and busy
market town Oyacachi, the connection point
between the high mountains of the Andes and the
eastern lowlands of the Amazon and Quito, which
is an hours drive away.
the equator
Cayambe
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Pambamarca The landscapes are expansive and
breathtaking. Here a student takes time to write
in her journal on top of a natural formation of
bedrock.
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Pambamarca
One of the challenges of working in Pambamarca is
hiking to the archaeolgical sites. Here students
make there way up to Quitoloma.
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Pambamarca Site visits are an important part of
learning on the project. Here two student visit
one of the windiest sites in Pambamarca. They
are walking on an usnu, or Inka ceremonial
platform.
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Cangahua Fieldschool students live in the town of
Cangahua (below), which lies in the heart of
Pambamarca. The project has assembled a
dormitory-styled housing for project participants
(right). Participants and guests have the option
of staying in a local colonial Hacienda (below
right).
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Cangahua Fiestas In late June Cangahua hosts a
week-long series of festivals. People travel
from neighboring communities to participate in
different cultural events that include dancing,
singing and bull fighting.
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Project participants enjoying themselves
on the equator Chad in the Southern Hemisphere
his dad in the Northern Hemisphere.
at the archaeological site of Cochasqui Angela
feeds the friendly llamas.
at a local archaeological museum please hold
the vessels with two hands!
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View of Mt. Cayambe from Pambamarca