Pambamarca

Pambamarca
Pambamarca Location of Pambamarca
Highest point
Elevation	4,062 m (13,327 ft)
Coordinates	0°04′47″S 78°12′31″W / 0.07972°S 78.20861°W / -0.07972; -78.20861Coordinates: 0°04′47″S 78°12′31″W / 0.07972°S 78.20861°W / -0.07972; -78.20861
Geography
Location	Andes Ecuador
Parent range	Pambamarca Group
Geology
Age of rock	Halocene
Mountain type	Stratovolcano

Pambamarca (alternate, Pimbamarca) is an eroded stratovolcano in the Central Cordillera of the northern Ecuadorian Andes in the northeast of the Pichincha province of Ecuador. it is 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Quito. The summit is at an elevation of 4,062 metres (13,327 ft).

The mountains of the Pambamarca in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador has many Pre-Columbian fortresses that predate the arrival of the Spanish in the region; Pambamarca has the greatest concentration of these forts. An archaeological research project titled "Pambamarca Archaeological Project" has been studying this area since 2002 with participation by many international organizations Universities and the Government of Ecuador with the objective of exploring the cultural landscapes, its prehistoric, historic and contemporary cultures, particularly of Ecuador’s important Pre-Columbian cultural heritage. The area is now under the tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the research project is oriented to bring it into the permanent List of Heritage Sites in Ecuador.

The fortifications originated with the Inca Empire who conquered Ecuador easily, and established themselves at Quito. Noting that the local indigenous community settled in Pambamarca were docile, the Incas thought that they could move in and occupy the territories outside Quito. But they faced serious resistance, and the war lasted 17 years before the Incas could finally conquer the Ecuadorians in the 1500s, with the fall of the fortresses. Following this, the Incas built many fortresses and lived in them. Among the provinces to the north of Quito the pre-Hispanic fortresses are concentrated in the mountain range of Pambamarca.

Inferred from the Cayambe pottery in use in the region, archaeologist examining the area are of the opinion that Cayambe culture has prevailed "as some peoples decided after many years of resistance and warfare to simply lay down their arms or become allies with the Inca."

After Spanish people invaded Ecuador and Peru, not only smallpox took a big toll on the local population of Inca but due to the superior gunpowder power of the invaders their last stronghold at Vilcabamba also fell in 1572.