Ocupación incaica en Cueva Inca Viejo y Abra de Minas, Puna de Salta, Argentina: Minería de turquesa y prácticas rituales

We analyze mining and ritual activities during the Inca occupation of the Ratones basin, Puna de Salta, Northwest Argentina (NOA). From the archaeological evidence of the sites Cueva Inca Viejo and Abra de Minas, indicators about the link between these activities are presented. We also emphasize that Cueva Inca Viejo is the first documented source with evidence of turquoise exploitation in prehispanic contexts of NOA. The results obtained by SEM-EDX and XRD allowed the detection of this mineral in the rock walls of the cave and in stratigraphy. New EDX analyses of archaeological samples from Cueva Inca Viejo are presented in this paper. The existence of a turquoise mine explains the intense Inca occupation in this sector of the Puna. Likewise, the modification of previous occupations based on mining work and the construction of roads and architectural structures is noteworthy. In this regard, the presence of a ceremonial structure with staircase and platform at the entrance of Cueva Inca Viejo is highlighted. This evidence, among others, indicates the link between mining and ritual practices, and allows us to discuss the control of both activities by the Inca Empire.