S4 E4 The Wari
The Wari were a civilization of 100’s of 1000’s of people living in the Andes between 500 and 1000 CE. Never heard of them? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’ll tell you about them and explain why I believe they were the inspiration for the later Inca Empire.
Show Notes
The site of Conchopata was partially bulldozed in 1998. Here’s a link to the salvage project to save what was left: https://www.doaks.org/research/pre-columbian/project-grants/cook-isbell-2000-2001
There was a recent field school at the main site of Wari. Maybe they’re still doing it? Here’s a link to their 2018 season: https://ifrglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Syllabus_Peru-Wari_2018.pdf
Here’s a good 2016 article in Science on the Wari: https://www.science.org/content/article/waris-grisly-end-fall-south-american-empire
Worldhistory.org has a pretty good Wari summary. I like the Kimbell Museum video near the end: https://www.worldhistory.org/Wari_Civilization/
If you’re wondering how I knew about the local vs foreign people in the graves of Conchopata, here’s the study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278416511000341
Enjoyed the episode, Ed. Fascinating stuff! Happy Holidays!
Off-topic, but folks here may be interested in this detailed Washington Post piece on the controversial train line currently being built in Yucatan and the efforts by archaeologists to save Maya sites and artifacts in the path of construction: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2022/mexico-tren-maya-destruction-archeology/.
Ed, if you have further information or views to share, this would make for a fascinating episode.
Happy holidays!
Hi Larry,
I’ve been watching the train closely and I’ve got nothing good to say about it. I do encourage everyone to watch it closely. Hopefully it will end up as a benefit, but I fear its about to become Mexico’s newest ruins.
I just listened (January 12) and happily learned more about the Wari. I especially liked the several pages of information and warnings about doing Field Work in the Andes in the summer of 2018. Looked like a fun opportunity for students.