The Spanish Conquest of the Inca

Historical Context

• For 500 years, understanding of the Spanish conquest relied on chronicles written by the Spanish conquistadors.
• In 1532, Francisco Pizarro arrived at the Inca Empire with fewer than 200 men.
• Historians have been puzzled by how the Spanish defeated the Inca, a powerful indigenous civilization.

Possible Factors for Spanish Victory

• Superior Spanish weapons?
• European diseases affecting the Inca?
• New scientific discoveries suggest alternative explanations.

Archaeological Discoveries in Puruchuco

• Guillermo Koch and his team discovered unusual graves near Lima, Peru.
• Findings: 20 graves containing bodies with violent injuries, not conforming to Inca burial patterns.
• Bodies showed signs of extreme violence, suggesting a violent death.
• Notable skeleton: "Mochito," with unique perimortem injuries indicating European weaponry.

Analysis of Mochito's Injuries

• Injuries were consistent with metal-edged weapons, possibly from Spanish conquistadors.
• Mochito had a gunshot-like injury, potentially the first documented gunshot wound in the New World.

Role of Spanish Weapons

• Spanish possessed advanced military technology, including guns (arquebuses) and steel weapons.
• The Spanish cavalry and steel provided a large advantage over Inca stone weapons.

Forensic Analysis

• Forensic scientists from New Haven confirmed the gunshot wound findings.
• SEM analysis detected iron fragments consistent with a Spanish musket ball.

Historiographical Insights

• Chronicles underplay the role of Indian allies in the Spanish victory.
• Pizarro's survival was helped by alliances with local tribes, not solely by Spanish prowess.

Reassessing the Siege of Lima

• Traditional accounts suggest Pizarro's cavalry defeated a large Inca force heroically.
• Historical records and forensic evidence suggest Indian allies played a crucial role.
• The siege of Lima involved small skirmishes rather than massive battles, with Indian forces on both sides.

Conclusion

• The Spanish conquest was less about Spanish prowess and more about internal native alliances.
• Indian allies were critical for Spanish success, a fact minimized by historical chronicles.
• The story of Mochito and the Puruchuco graves provides new insight into the complex dynamics of the conquest.

Further Exploration

• For further details and educational materials, visit NOVA's Great Inca Rebellion website or order NOVA programs.