Inca Llajta: Largest And Most Impressive Inca Complex In Bolivia
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Inca Llajta (in Quechua means ‘Inca Town’) is considered the largest and most impressive Inca military complex in Bolivia, which served as the most eastern fortress of the large Inca-empire. The fort is strategically located in a mountain range (2,900 to 3,200 meters above sea level).
Whether Inca Llajta was built against attack by the Indian nation, Chiriguanos, who, as records say, were the toughest opposition the Spaniards ever faced in the center of South America, or against the increasing Spanish pressure in the area – is unclear. Photo via Explore Pangea
Around 1470, the Incas took residence in this stone fortress and were present there until 1525.
It is unclear, whether Inca Llajta (Inkaltajta ) was built against attacks organized by the Indian nation, Chiriguanos. According to ancient records, Chiriguanos people represented the toughest opposition the Spaniards ever faced in the center of South America.
Another possibility is that Inca Llajta was constructed for protection against the increasing Spanish pressure in the area.
According to the earliest accounts, the Indian tribe, Chiriguanos of the Eastern lowlands had their origin in migration of Guarani people from the lands located to the east of the Paraguay River.
Destroyed by time and the Spanish Conquistadors, Inca Llajta remains in ruins.
Inca Llajta was ordered to be built by the Inka Tupac Yupanqui (in Quechua) "noble Inca accountant." Yupanqui was the eleventh Sapa Inca (1471–93) of the Inca Empire, and tenth of the Inca civilization.
His father was Pachacuti, the ninth Sapa Inca (1418–1471/1472) of the Kingdom of Cusco, and his son was Huayna Capac also the famous and powerful Inca ruler.
This fascinating historical Bolivian place was discovered in 1913 by Erland Nordenskiold, a Swedish archaeologist and anthropologist who focused his research on the prehistory of South America. Nordenskiold found the fortress in ruins as the town and its fortress were destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadors. He measured and mapped the ruins of Inca Llajta.
Inca Llajta was a military outpost to protect the region from raids by the unconquered Indian tribe, Chiriguanos of the Eastern lowlands, some believe.
Even if the complex is in ruins, it still remains an impressive example of architectural engineering of Inca, especially Inca Llajta’s defensive wall.
Interestingly, the original name of the complex of Inca Llajta has been lost a long time ago.
There are huge, zigzag defensive walls still standing, a network of dormitories, a prison, some remains of a strange tower that could have been an "intiwatana" (birth of the Sun), in which the seasonal changes were registered and were made other astronomical observations.
There are also remains of the largest Incan building to have ever been found that are still clearly visible. It is the kallanka’ (Kallanca), Inca Llajta’s most noteworthy structure, measuring 80 meters by 25 meters, with the roofed enclosure supported by massive columns and probably utilized for military purposes.
It is located on an ejection cone, in the strong almost completely inaccessible ravine. The Inca builders used trapezoidal shapes and the geometric figure characteristic of these particular ruins is the trapeze. ("La Cancha") or patio, is a polyfunctional mythical space, which most probably had multiple functions.
Outside the structure, there is a large boulder, probably a speakers’ platform.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Beautiful Terracotta Figurine Collection Discovered In Myra, Antalya
Archaeology | Sep 29, 2020
-
Polycarp Of Smyrna: Burned At The Stake And Pierced With A Dagger
Featured Stories | Jun 25, 2020
-
Oldest Human Genome From The Iberian Peninsula Helps Reconstructing Human History
Archaeology | Mar 1, 2023
-
On This Day In History: Henry II Crowned King Of England – On Dec 19, 1154
News | Dec 19, 2016
-
Common Ancestor Of Neanderthals And Humans That Lived 700,000 Years Ago Holds Clues To A DNA Mystery
Archaeology | Feb 22, 2023
-
Baba Yaga: Enigmatic, Powerful Archetypal Witch In Slavic Folklore
Slavic Mythology | May 16, 2016
-
Pre-Hispanic Carved Stone Monuments Discovered On A Mountaintop In Puebla, Mexico
Archaeology | Jul 25, 2020
-
Underground Labyrinth With Secret Passages, Tunnels In Dobrogea Plateau, Romania
Featured Stories | May 9, 2022
-
Geb – Egyptian God Of Earth And Member Of The Ennead – His Laughter Created Earthquakes
Egyptian Mythology | Feb 12, 2019
-
Ancient Underwater ‘Lion City’ Rests Beneath The Thousand Island Lake
News | Feb 11, 2014
-
The Knap Of Howar: One Of The Oldest And Well-Preserved Neolithic Complexes Orkney, Scotland
Featured Stories | Mar 2, 2017
-
Nasca Lines: Researchers Identify 16 Bird Geoglyphs Drawn On Desert Plains Of Peru
Archaeology | Jun 23, 2019
-
Secrets Of Namibia’s Fairy Circles Solved – Self-Organizing Plants Are The Creators – New Theory
Archaeology | Oct 21, 2022
-
Heuneburg Early Celts’ Settlement: Wine Was Available To All Residents Not Only To Elite
Archaeology | Oct 25, 2019
-
Early Bantu Speakers Crossed Through The Dense Central African Rainforest 4,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Aug 2, 2022
-
On This Day In History: Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar Begins – On August 11, 3114 B.C
News | Aug 11, 2016
-
Tragic Tale Of The Cursed House Of Atreus
Featured Stories | Apr 12, 2021
-
Ancient Quest For Mechanical Life: Humanoid Robots Of Our Ancestors
Ancient Technology | Apr 26, 2019
-
Humans’ Evolutionary Relatives Butchered One Another 1.45 Million Years Ago
Ancient Symbols | Jun 26, 2023
-
Human-Driven Mass Extinction Is Eliminating Entire Branches Of The Tree Of Life – New Study
Biology | Sep 19, 2023