El Fuerte The Different Transformations of Inca Culture
El Fuerte The Different
Transformations of Inca Culture
Samaipata Fortress in Bolivia is a pre-Inca and Inca archaeological site. It is believed to have been occupied by numerous cultures including the Mojocoya dating back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries as the Inca Empire expanded eastward. The rock formations are characterized by abstract carvings animal figures including snakes and various niches and niches suggesting ritual and astronomical use. Despite the site's name suggesting a fortress the site is actually a stone platform with intricate carvings and niches believed to have been used for ritual and possibly astronomical purposes
Located in the Yungas region of Bolivia at an altitude of 1,950 meters in Florida Province Santa Cruz County Samaipata was the administrative ceremonial and religious center of the Inca Like other Inca centers along the empire's borders such as Oroncota it was protected by a perimeter fortification
It is believed to have been occupied by numerous cultures including the Mojocoya And later by the Inca Samaipata Fortress faced various threats such as erosion. Around 300 AD the Samaipata site was used as a ritual and residential area by the Chané of the Mojocoyas period From 200 to 800 AD they began building the large stone sanctuary that forms the ceremonial center of the Samaipata ruins Despite natural and environmental degradation the fortress also served religious ceremonial and residential purposes.
Construction was likely initiated by the Chane a pre-Inca people of Arawak origin The Spanish established a settlement at Samaipata Fortress and the remains of Andalusian and Arab architectural styles remain The Spanish soon abandoned the fortress and moved to a nearby valley establishing the city of Samaipata in 1618. Another fortress located about 50 kilometers 31 miles to the east is called La Forta Leza The ruins of the fortress sit on a hilltop overlooking the lowlands surrounding present-day Santa Cruz Another fortress The location of the site is unknown called Guanacopampa which guarded the mines at Saipuru or Kaypurum also of unknown location The Samaipata area was one of the most remote and eastern parts of the Inca Empire
