Dynastic oral tradition, administrative records and archaeology in the Andes

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Abstract
Many questions about the structure and dynamics of native Andean societies can be answered by research strategies which carefully coordinate written sources and the archaeological record. Ways are explored in which archaeological tactics have been, and may be, combined with the two major kinds of written sources available for the Andes ‐ dynastic oral tradition and administrative records. It is emphasized that both kinds of sources need to be verified and expanded by archaeology, although they differ somewhat in the way they are approached. Oral tradition provides the basis for rather general hypotheses about Andean society, particularly at the state level. Administrative records, on the other hand, offer specific regional details, with an invaluable opportunity to see below the imperial mantle and to locate and check concrete examples of widespread practices and institutions.

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