Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

10 Fascinating Ancient Places in Peru You Probably Didn’t Know About

Vedran VukićbyVedran Vukić
October 6, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
in Curious Lists
An example of stone Inca masonry. Jumpstory.

An example of stone Inca masonry. Jumpstory.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

What are some of your favorite ancient places in Peru?

“It’s an irritating reality that many places and events defy description. For instance, Angkor Wat and ancient Machu Picchu seem to demand silence, like a love affair you can never talk about. For a while after, you fumble for words, trying vainly to assemble a private narrative, an explanation, a comfortable way to frame where you’ve been and what’s happened. In the end, you’re just happy you were there — with your eyes open — and lived to see it.” –Anthony Bourdain

Ancient Places in Peru

Kuélap

Hidden in a cloud forest of Northern Peru, you will find Kuélap. Built by the Chachapoya culture in the 5th century AD. Archeologists estimate that around 3000 people lived in Kuélap, but the city was abandoned in 1570 due to Spanish Conquest. Kuélap is located on a limestone ridge on top of a mountain, built at an elevation of 3000 meters, while Machu Picchu was built at a much lower elevation, at around 2400 meters above sea level. This makes Kuélap one of the highest-elevation cities in North America.

Chavín de Huántar

Located high in the Andes near Huaraz, this high-altitude site is a place of ancient civilization and culture. Findings from this site are carbon-dated to around 3000 BC. This archeological site is a large ceremonial center that has revealed a great deal about the Chavín culture. The main structure of this city was a temple, a flat-top pyramid with interior decoration of sculptures and carvings. During its peak, Chavin de Huantar was used as a religious center for ceremonies and events, perhaps the home for an oracle.

Related Posts

The Conquest of Tenochtitlán after which Hernan Cortes brought the end of the Aztec Empire.

11 Things You Should Know about Hernan Cortes: The Conqueror of the Aztecs

August 21, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The fortress-temple of Sacsayhuaman was built by the Incas as a fortification for the capital of Cuzco.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Ancient Peruvian Citadel of Sacsayhuaman

October 11, 2020 - Updated on February 11, 2023

Huaca del Sol

Huaca del Sol, or Pyramid of Sun, is one of the oldest mud-brick pyramids in North America. Built by the Moche civilization, this pyramid was composed of four primary levels. The structure was expanded and rebuilt by different rulers over time. It is believed to have originally been about 50 meters in height and 340 m, by 160 m. at the base. Located at the center of the Moche capital city, the temple appears to have been used for ritual, and ceremonial activities, and as a royal residence. There is also evidence it may have been used as a burial chamber.

Huaca de la Luna

Sister pyramid of Huaca del Sol, this temple is kept in far better condition. Huaca de la Luna is a complex of three main levels, each one serving different purposes. The true purpose of the temple is still unknown. Researchers know that the eastern platform was a place where human sacrifices were practiced. Archeological findings have revealed multiple skeletons of adult males at the foot of the rock, all of whom show signs of trauma.

Nazca Lines

Of all the ancient places in Peru, this is perhaps the favorite of many. The Nazca Lines are a group of large geoglyphs etched into the soil of Nazca Dessert. Created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by the Nazca culture, most of the Nazca Lines form shapes best seen from the air. The Lines were made by removing the top layer of reddish-brown iron oxide-coated pebbles to reveal a yellow-grey subsoil beneath. Anthropologists and archaeologists have studied the ancient Nazca culture to determine the purpose of the lines and figures. One theory is that the Nazca people created them to be seen by deities in the sky.

Caral

Caral should be considered one of the most important ancient places in Peru. One of North America’s oldest centers of ancient civilization, Caral is estimated to be around 5000 years old.  Located in the Supa Valley, the city has a complex and monumental structure, including six pyramidal structures. A quipu (the knot system used in Andean civilizations to record information) found on the site testifies to the development and complexity of Caral’s society. The remnants of Caral are remarkably well preserved, primarily because of its early abandonment and late discovery.

Chan Chan

Chan Chan is located at the mouth of the Moche Valle. It was the capital of the historical empire of the Chimor civilization. In 1470, it was defeated and joined to Inca Empire. The rise of the Spanish city Trujillo pushed Chan Chan more into the shadows as Spaniards looted the city continuously. The wealth of the Chimu people was known to be gold and copper. The burial tomb in Chan Chan was looted in the 16th century and the treasure taken from the tomb was equivalent to 80,000 pesos of gold (nearly 5,000,000 US dollars worth)

Moray

Located 50 km from the famous Cusco, this ancient site contains Incas ruins, mostly consisting of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 m deep. As with many other Inca sites, it also has an irrigation system. The real purpose of Circular depressions is still uncertain. From soil analysis, scientists know this site was used for farming, and the unique circular construction was used to create a temperature difference with a help of wind and sun.

Sillustani Tomb

This is perhaps one of the least-known ancient places in Peru. Sillustani is a pre-Incan cemetery on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno in Peru. The Tombs were built above ground in tower-looking structures called chullpas. Many of the chullpas at Sillustani were built by the Qualla people, who are actually part of the Aymara civilization. The insides of tombs were built to hold an entire group of people, most likely extended families of the Aymara people.

Machu Picchu

Probably the most famous ancient site in Peru is Machu Picchu. The city was built in the 15th century by the Incas. Archeologists believe that city was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. The Incas built the estate around 1450 and abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Constructed in the traditional Incan style, Machu Picchu has three primary structures; the Temple of the Sun, the Room of the Three Windows, and Intihuatana. The city sits in a saddle between the two mountains, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, with an astonishing view of two valleys.


Join the discussion and participate in awesome giveaways in our mobile Telegram group. Join Curiosmos on Telegram Today. t.me/Curiosmos

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Vedran Vukić

Vedran Vukić

Related Posts

Screenshot from the official video released by the Chilean Navy of a UFO. You can read about this case in the article below. Credit: Chilean Navy
Curious Lists

10 Genuine UFO Sightings In The Last Decade You Should know About

April 26, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
Modern blacksmiths are slowly uncovering the secrets of ancient Damascus steel. Credit: Everydaycarry
Curious Lists

Legendary Weapons: 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Damascus Steel

May 10, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The Vardzia Cave Monastery presents a magnificent view of Georgia's countryside while it is also a magnificent sight itself.
Curious Lists

10 Things You Should Know About Vardzia Cave Monastery

September 21, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
A Hubble image of the Crab Nebula Although it is not one of the largest objects in the universe and not even close to the ones we will discuss below, it is a clear example of how magnificent space is. Credit: NASA, ESA and Allison Loll/Jeff Hester (Arizona State University). Acknowledgement: Davide De Martin (ESA/Hubble)
Curious Lists

10 Of The Largest Objects In The Universe You Probably Never Heard Of

January 28, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The Controversial Logo of the newly founded United State's Space Force.
Curious Lists

10 Things You Should Know About the United States Space Force

September 28, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
Side B of the Phaistos Disc as seen in the Museum in Crete.
Curious Lists

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Phaistos Disc

September 21, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists