Sierra de Zapata’s “Tambillo Nuevo” (Catamarca province)

Abstract

The site “New Tambillo”, also known as “Tambillo de Zapata II”, lays beside the provincial route N° 3, in the Zapata mountain range. It was discovered in the 90s’ by a group of investigators lead by Dr. Raffino. Because of the limited amount of time available at that moment, since a highly intensive research work was being carried out in the nearby site El Shincal de Quimivil (only a few kilometers away), this site could only be subject of a quick recognition, where a plan was made and some photographs were taken. As a result, the site has been scarcely mentioned so far in the bibliography referring to the incaico dominion of the South sector of the Hualfín valley, and the mountainous area of Zapata. Recent field trips allowed us to redefine and extend the available data, as well as to produce new information that will be presented in this work. Our objective is to incorporate the site to the repertoire of Inca facilities in the NOA, making in depth descriptions to schedule prospecting and excavation trips, aiming to understand its issues of an intrinsic as well as extrinsic nature.