Tilcara – pucará
‘Pucará de Tilcara is a pre-Inca fortification, located on a hill just outside the small town of Tilcara. The location was strategically chosen to be easily defensible and to provide good views over a long stretch of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.The fortified town was originally built by the Omaguaca tribe, who settled in the area around the 12th century. Experts in agriculture, weaving and pottery, they were also renowned warriors. During their time, the pucará served as an important administrative and military center.In the late 15th century, the tribes of the Quebrada were finally conquered by the Incas, who used the pucará as a military outpost and to secure the supply of metals such as silver, zinc and copper which were mined nearby.The Incan domination of the area only lasted for about half a century, and ended with the arrival of the Spanish in 1536, who founded the modern town of...
