Archaeologists in Argentina will livestream a dig at an Inca city
From 17 to 20 November, 11:00 to 13:00 Argentina time, Fundación Azara will stream an excavation at El Shincal de Quimivil (Londres, Catamarca), an Inca provincial capital, on its YouTube channel. Archaeologists from CONICET and the universities of La Plata and Catamarca will show their field and lab work and answer viewers' questions in the chat.
After streaming live from the depths of the Mar del Plata submarine canyon and from a dinosaur dig in 2025, Argentine science is heading to the Andes. From 17 to 20 November, 11:00 to 13:00 Argentina time (14:00-16:00 GMT), Fundación Azara will stream an excavation at El Shincal de Quimivil, in Londres, Catamarca, on its YouTube channel.
An Inca capital in Catamarca
According to Fundación Azara, the Incas planned, built and lived in El Shincal between 1471 and 1536. It was a political, administrative and ceremonial centre and is considered a provincial capital of Tawantinsuyu, the Inca state. “Expedición Inka 2026” will dig a kancha-type enclosure, a courtyard ringed by buildings, to record its architecture, whatever objects turn up and what went on there.
The team at work at El Shincal. Photo: Fundación Azara.
Ask the archaeologists
The stream will cover survey work, excavation, the processing of sediment and plant and animal remains and the recording of finds, using LiDAR and photogrammetry, according to Infobae. Viewers will be able to ask questions in the chat. The dig is led by archaeologists Guillermina Couso and Aylén Capparelli.
The El Shincal team brings together specialists in anthropology, biology, geology, architecture, geodesy, digital art and conservation from CONICET, Fundación Azara, the National University of La Plata and the School of Archaeology at the National University of Catamarca. It has worked at the site without a break since 1983.
Another of El Shincal’s structures. Photo: Fundación Azara.
The broadcast is backed by Catamarca’s provincial anthropology department and the municipality of Londres. It is free to watch on Fundación Azara’s channel.
