Abstract
This paper presents recent advances in archaeological research at Cerro Inca Viejo (Puna of Salta, northwestern Argentina), with the aim of deepening the study of mining exploitation documented there. This mountain contains a turquoise source and other copper-bearing minerals, with clear indicators of intensive pre-Hispanic mining activity, especially during the occupation of the Inca Empire. Among the key contributions presented here, new archaeological evidence is described from inside the main mine of the mountain, known as Cueva Inca Viejo, including both its entrance chamber and internal galleries. This research reports for the first time the record of firesetting at Cueva Inca Viejo, a singular mining technique in the pre-Hispanic archaeology of the Andean highlands, in association with lithic hammers and percussion marks. Other components of the pre-Hispanic mining toolkit are documented (e.g., wooden handles, leather strips, wedges, wooden shovels, and basketry). Furthermore, the results obtained from other sectors of Cerro Inca Viejo are described, as well as a comparative analysis of lead isotope values from mineral samples. Finally, it is emphasized that the archaeological evidence presented in this paper makes it possible to analyze the mining-ritual landscape generated primarily during the Inca expansion.