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Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World
Brown University
Box 1837 / 60 George Street
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: (401) 863-3188
Fax: (401) 863-9423
[email protected]
Digital Reconstructions, Virtual Reality and Archaeological Representation: A Case Study from Incallajta, Bolivia
Larry Coben, University of Pennsylvania
Recent developments in architectural software and technology provide a variety of new methods and perspectives to the study of questions related to construction, site layout, access, and movement through prehistoric sites and buildings. In this paper, we utilize digital reconstructions and virtual reality walk-throughs at the monumental Inka site of Iincallajta, Bolivia, to address certain of these issues. After briefly describing the process of reconstructing this monumental Inka site, we examine and test some of the many theories surrounding Inkallakta's use and primary purpose (fortaleza, administrative center, Cuzco replica) utilizing these new tools, and discuss the benefits of and problems with these forms of archaeological representations and their implications for future research.