Conquest of Peru -- Battle of Puná -- April 1531
This map of Insula Puná visually captures the events surrounding the Battle of Puná in April 1531, a significant yet peripheral engagement in Francisco Pizarro's conquest of Peru.
Fought on Isla Puná, located in the Gulf of Guayaquil off the coast of present-day Ecuador, this battle marked a critical juncture in Pizarro's third and final expedition leading up to the fall of the Inca Empire. The confrontation between Pizarro's conquistadors and the indigenous Puná people is vividly illustrated through the imagery of violence and destruction on the map.
The Battle of Puná unfolded against a backdrop of tension and mistrust. Pizarro's forces had relocated to the island after a fraught reception in the Inca city of Tumbes. The islanders, known for their warrior culture, had a history of resistance to the Inca Empire and harbored deep grievances against outside powers. Initial interactions between the Spanish and the Puná were peaceful, but conflict erupted when Pizarro, acting on reports of a suspected insurrection, captured and executed several local chiefs by delivering them to their Inca rivals in Tumbes, where they were massacred. This act of betrayal incited the Puná warriors to rise against the Spanish invaders.
The map dramatically illustrates the Spanish camp under attack by waves of indigenous fighters, who are shown charging en masse. The Spanish defenders, though heavily outnumbered, leveraged their superior weaponry, discipline, and tactics honed in European conflicts. Rows of pikemen repelled the initial assault, while volleys of musket fire inflicted devastating casualties. The pivotal moment came when Hernando Pizarro led a cavalry charge, depicted here slicing through the native ranks, forcing the Puná warriors into a chaotic retreat.
In the aftermath of the battle, the Puná regrouped and waged a guerrilla campaign, targeting Spanish provisions and ambushing scouts. Despite these efforts, Spanish reinforcements arrived under Hernando de Soto, bolstering the conquistadors' position. The Spaniards, having secured a temporary advantage, abandoned the island to continue their campaign on the Peruvian mainland. They departed Puná on Spanish ships, leaving behind a devastated indigenous population.
This map, while rooted in the context of Hulsius's later collection of voyages, offers a visual representation of the Battle of Puná as a microcosm of the larger conquest. It highlights the violence, destruction, and cultural upheaval that characterized European expansion into the Americas. The imagery of burning settlements, the clash of arms, and the retreat of indigenous fighters captures the brutality of the encounter while reflecting the colonial narratives of European dominance during this pivotal period in history.
Rarity
The map is very rare.
This is the first example we have seen on the market (1992-2024).