Archaeological sites in Provincia de Catamarca

Archaeological Treasures

Explore the pre-Columbian and Inca heritage of Catamarca through this collection of defensive fortresses, administrative centers, and sacred sites. The list features the UNESCO-listed Qhapaq Ñan road system and the expansive ruins of Shincal de Quimivil, a former provincial capital. These sites showcase advanced stone masonry, strategic mountain architecture, and the complex social organization of the Belén and Diaguita cultures during the Inca expansion.

Santiago matamoro / CC BY-SA 3.0

Shincal de Quimivil

A major 15th-century Inca administrative center and provincial capital. The site features a central plaza with a ceremonial platform (ushnu), residential quarters, and stone storehouses spread across 23 hectares.

Claudio Elias / Public domain

Ruins of Quilmes

The Ruins of Quilmes is an archaeological site in the Calchaquí Valleys, Tucumán Province, Argentina.

Pucará del Aconquija

A UNESCO World Heritage site comprising a high-altitude Inca fortress. It includes over a kilometer of defensive stone walls, plazas, and residential sectors overlooking the Aconquija valley.

Pucará de La Alumbrera

A pre-Hispanic fortress near Antofagasta de la Sierra built with dark volcanic stone. It features residential enclosures and defensive structures attributed to the Belén culture and later Inca influence.

Camino del Inca

A segment of the Qhapaq Ñan, the extensive Inca road system recognized by UNESCO. These mountain trails served as vital communication and trade routes across the Andean highlands.

Watungasta

A large archaeological site near the Abaucán River containing Diaguita and Inca architecture. It is characterized by expansive adobe and stone ruins, including ceremonial spaces and residential units.

Ciudad Arqueologica de Mishma

A pre-Columbian settlement featuring stone foundations, agricultural terraces, and irrigation systems representative of the region's early sedentary cultures.

Del Bajo

An archaeological site linked to the Aconquija complex and the Qhapaq Ñan. It contains remains of stone structures used for administrative or logistical purposes during the Inca period.

Mina Incahuasi

Ruins of a historic gold mining settlement. The site includes stone housing and industrial remains from Inca mining operations that were later utilized during the Spanish colonial era.