Source

The Incas, 2nd edition

Terence D'Altroy's synthesis works from both the archaeological record of the Inca state and the colonial Spanish chronicles describing it, and its real methodological strength, stated in its own approach, is reading those chronicles critically rather than repeating a conquistador's or missionary's account of Inca religion and governance at face value. That critical cross-checking of documentary claims against excavated evidence is the book's real evidentiary basis, not a claim about its publisher. It is now in a second edition, incorporating archaeological findings and scholarship published since the first. This record has not independently traced further scholarly disagreement with D'Altroy's specific readings since the second edition. Use it for established archaeological and historical facts about Inca religion, governance and society; a claim resting purely on one chronicler's own uncorroborated account needs that chronicle addressed directly and critically, which this book does not always do episode by episode.

Facts

Assessment

Reliability Tier

Terence D'Altroy's synthesis working from both the archaeological record of the Inca state and the colonial Spanish chronicles describing it, with its stated methodological strength being reading those chronicles critically rather than at face value.

Notes

Archaeological and ethnohistorical synthesis; reads the colonial chroniclers critically rather than at face value.

Citation

Author

Terence N. D'Altroy

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Publication Year

2014

Source Type

Monograph

Connections

Associated With

Inca

This source names Inca directly: "both the archaeological record of the Inca state and the colonial Spanish chronicles describing it, and its real methodological strength, stated in its own approach, is reading those chronicles..."

Source The Incas, 2nd editionTerence N. D'Altroy

Claims Backed By This Source (306 claims)

This source backs 306 claims across the atlas. As facts: 225 well-attested, 7 scholarly debate, 1 open question. As cited relationships: 38 holds, 1 connected. Plus 34 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.

Disposition By Topic

Deities, 76 claims: 67 well-attested, 3 holds, 6 general references.
Articles, 48 claims: 46 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Historical Figures, 46 claims: 25 well-attested, 6 scholarly debate, 1 open question, 11 holds, 3 general references.
Sacred Sites, 32 claims: 20 well-attested, 9 holds, 3 general references.
Sacred Objects & Ritual Items, 17 claims: 11 well-attested, 3 holds, 3 general references.
Prayers, 10 claims: 5 well-attested, 2 holds, 3 general references.
Religions, 10 claims: 8 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Subcategories, 10 claims: 8 well-attested, 2 general references.
Open Questions, 9 claims: 7 well-attested, 1 connected, 1 general references.
Religious Offices, 9 claims: 7 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Animals & Totems, 8 claims: 5 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate, 2 general references.
Sources, 8 claims: 7 well-attested, 1 holds.
Cultures, 6 claims: 3 well-attested, 1 holds, 2 general references.
Empires & Polities, 6 claims: 2 well-attested, 3 holds, 1 general references.
Holidays & Festivals, 4 claims: 2 holds, 2 general references.
Bodies of Water, 3 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 general references.
Cities, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Figures, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.