El adoratorio del cerro El Potro: Arqueología de alta monta？a en la cordillera de Copiapó, norte de Chile

the archaeological survey carried out in the upper los helados river and in mount el potro, confirms mountaineering and scholarly descriptions of evidence attesting to the existence of a pre-columbian huaca, and contributes to explain the orographic architectural orientation of the vi？a del cerro metallurgical center. our findings suggest andean mountain cults were indeed carried out there, including public ceremonies in the center and more exclusive ones on the el potro and its surroundings. distinctly separate traces of copiapó valley fertility rituals express the dual power and reciprocity relations established amongst the incas and local groups, which sustained their mining-metallurgical activities in the area.