The veracity of Montesinos

Abstract

Patrón defends the chronicler Fernando de Montesinos, frequently discredited by modern historians. The author provides biographical details, placing Montesinos in Peru around 1628 and highlighting his extensive travels. The core of the article validates Montesinos' royal list of Incas by comparing it with accounts from other chroniclers like Blas Valera and Anello Oliva, finding coincidences in names and dates of kings such as Cápac Raymi. Furthermore, Patrón vigorously argues in favor of Montesinos' thesis regarding the existence of a pre-Inca writing system (later lost), presenting archaeological evidence such as the Calango stone, petroglyphs in various regions, and symbols on ceramics and textiles. He concludes that, despite certain errors and anachronisms, Montesinos is an indispensable source for the ancient history of Peru.