There are hundreds of archaeological sites in Peru, many civilizations have chosen this country to live. In the last weeks we have visited some of them and here we are going to show them to you.
- The Sacred City of Caral
It is considered the oldest city in the entire American continent, dating from the year 3,000 BC, approximately from the same time that the pyramids of Egypt were built. It is formed by 6 pyramidal constructions (pyramids), 2 sunken squares (amphitheaters) and several other spaces, occupying an area of 66 hectares. Unfortunately, despite its historical importance, we do not know much more about this place or this culture.
- Sechin archaeological site
It was the capital of the Sechin culture and its most characteristic feature is its facade, which is formed by monoliths, sometimes very large, with engravings in relief representing rituals. The most important ritual that is described here is a human sacrifice, represented by heads, bleeding faces or parts of the body. This ritual was performed to please their gods hoping that they will help with their crops and avoid natural disasters. ·
- Huacas of the Moon and the Sun
The Huaca de la Luna was a religious temple where all kinds of ceremonies were held. Archeologically surprising for its construction in the form of a step pyramid, built by the Moche culture for several years, since each dynasty (approximately every 100 years) buried the existing temple and built a new one (practically the same as the previous one) on top of it. They used adobe, that is to say clay bricks, which they then covered with a layer of mud, on top of which they drew and painted. Today, up to 7 levels are known. The Moche culture, had as main god, the Ai Apaec or the beheader, which they represented in their paintings in many different ways. This culture also performed human sacrifices to please this god. To choose who would be sacrificed, the best warriors fought among themselves and the losers were prepared for several days for the sacrifice (within these preparations they were given to drink the cactus San Pedro with hallucinogenic properties). In the sacrificial ceremony a priest beheaded the elect and collected the blood in a cup that would then be drank by his king or lord in front of the whole town. The Huaca del Sol is much larger than the Moon, is located in front of it and it is estimated that 140 million adobes (mud bricks) were used to build it, but the research work has not yet begun and is still largely covered in sand.
- The City of Chan Chan
It is the largest mud city in the world. But you can only visit a small part, one of the nine temples that are there. Was built for the Chimú culture, a descendant of the Moche culture. The Nik-An temple is surrounded by a great wall and inside it consists of two large ceremonial square and a space full of smaller rooms called “shrines”, spaces dedicated to worship.
- El Brujo archaeological complex
Built by the Moche culture, architecturally it has the same characteristics as the Huaca de la Luna. The most important discovery of this place was undoubtedly the tomb of the Lady of Cao. This has been the first woman who is attributed the functions of ruler, since she was buried as such, surrounded by xx people, and all the jewels and characteristics of a king. They also made a treatment to her body which allowed that until today her bones, hair and nails are intact and look like a mummy, giving us much more information than other remains found.
- Tombs of Sipan Museum
In the archaeological site of Sipan was found the first tomb with the remains of a great command of the Moche culture, was the Lord of Sipan. He was buried in his best clothes and surrounded by eight individuals who accompanied him on his divine journey. We could see it in the museum, but we could not take any pictures.
