The Cusco Living Observatory: a cosmological approach to tourism in the Peruvian Andes

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the development of contemporary tourism infrastructure as well as cultural and archaeological sites in the Peruvian Andes. I seek to understand how tourists and those living in the Cusco region understand Peruvian culture through engagement with the land and physical remains of the Inca civilization. This thesis proposes a “living observatory” that expands upon the work currently being advanced by Planetarium Cusco by introducing research facilities and a medical clinic that would bridge indigenous traditions and frameworks with modern science. The Cusco Living Observatory aims to provide community health resources to the peri-urban and rural inhabitants of the Cusco region while also educating transient visitors about the links between the Incas’ understanding of the cosmos and their territorial expansion, including building practices, agriculture, medicine, and politics. The rapid growth of Cusco’s tourism industry over the course of the 20th century has shaped and re-shaped the image of Peru, both domestically and abroad. As a fundamentally interdisciplinary project, this thesis advocates for meaningful engagement with Indigenous Andean culture and draws from the fields of tourism studies, archaeology, history, cultural astronomy, and environmental sustainability.