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These pre-Columbian fortresses or pucaras,
built on small hills overlooking the surrounding valleys are found
throughout the country although only the rock foundations are left now
to be admired. They can be compared in their functions to
the medieval castles and fortresses of Europe as their main
function was for military purposes.
The above photos
feature the pucara Rumicucho, located near Mitad del
Mundo, south of Quito. It was built
by the Inca
invaders in the 15th century as a military outpost to serve
as an offensive and defensive guard post in their struggle to subjugate
the northern tribes
of the Cayambe, Cochasqui and Caranquis Indians, who
offered them bitter resistance.
However apart from this most important
military function, it also served for ceremonial and
astronomical purposes
and it also known that a large settlement of tradesmen
and workers surrounded the installation at that time.
The images below are of
a small pucara located in the Cotopaxi National Park at
3800m. Its name is El Salitre and it is believed that
it already existed as an military outpost before the Incas
conquered the country. |
