Inca Funerary Practices (ca. 1400–1532): A First Assessment on the Basis of Archaeological Data

This article examines Inca (AD 1400–1532) funerary contexts using a meta-study of published archaeological data. To date, ethnohistory has been the main means dealing with this theme, and syntheses based on record have mostly absent. One hundred forty are compared from Cusco area three Inca-conquered regions pertaining to Late Horizon, leading identification patterns contrasts in these different areas. The burial types, biological profile individuals, goods thoroughly re-examined, seeking evidence for recurring material or practices. results show heterogeneous practices variations types artifact assemblages, apparently unrelated region, site, sex, age individuals. Within this, we discuss possible association some artifacts gender roles, symbolism, materialization.