The Department of Anthropology Presents: Dr. Steven Wernke

The General Resettlement of Indians(ReducciónGeneral de Indios) in the viceroyalty of Peru was one of the largest forced resettlement programs by a colonial power in world history. Over a million native Andeans were resettled to compact towns in just a few years during the 1570s. How "reducción" towns were situated and built, how living in them affected daily life in indigenous communities, and why some were abandoned while others endured remain vexing questions. This talk renders these processes in detail through holistic research centering on a spectacularly-preserved reduccióntown in the high altitude reaches of the ColcaValley of southern Peru. It traces out the “birth” of the reducciónof Santa Cruz de Tutithrough forced resettlement, its decline and “death” as it was abandoned in 1843, and its “resurrection” as a new town of similar form was built nearby. Spatial analyses of the settlement and historical demography reveal the processes involved in locating and building the town. Spatial modeling of movement and visual perception inside the town approximates the experience of dwelling in it. The demographic, political, and economic legacies of colonial resettlement here and elsewhere are also explored.

For information on accessibility, or to request accommodation, please contact JoAnn L Rhoades jlrhoade@syr.edu

This event is open to the public.

Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology