Bandurria Late Preceramic Pyramid Complex
Bandurria · Playa Chica · Bandurria Monumental
Late Preceramic (Cotton Preceramic / Norte Chico fringe)·Cotton Preceramic coastal fishers (Bandurria culture)·🇵🇪 Lima Province, Huacho, Bandurria beach desert, Peru
About
About Bandurria Late Preceramic Pyramid Complex
Important Late Preceramic circular and rectangular pyramid centre at Bandurria on Huacho beach desert (c. 3500–1800 BCE), contemporary with Caral-Supe but distinct coastal fishing economy (anchoveta nets, shell hooks). Mound 4 (Domestic) 30 m circular pyramid with ashlar stone and shicra fill, Mound 5 rectangular. Excavated by Domingo Torero, Rosa Fung and Alejandro Chu since 2005. Shows maritime band societies built pyramids alongside Supe interior cotton civilization — key to maritime foundations debate. Threatened by Huacho urban sprawl and looting.
Why it mattersDocuments coastal preceramic monumentalism independent of Caral cotton route; fish vs cotton foundation hypotheses both visible.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Synchrony with Caral — coastal vs inland primacy
- 02Function of circular pyramid — observation or ritual
Theories
- 01Maritime hypothesis strengthened by fishing toolkit in pyramid fill
- 02Circular plan precursor to later Andean circular sunken courts
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3500–1800 BCE (Late Preceramic Cotton)
- Period
- Late Preceramic (Cotton Preceramic / Norte Chico fringe)
- Culture
- Cotton Preceramic coastal fishers (Bandurria culture)
- Builders
- Bandurria coastal builders
- Purpose
- Circular and rectangular pyramids for ritual with maritime economy
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3500–1800 BCE (Late Preceramic Cotton)
Initial construction
c. 1109 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
11.1871° S · 77.5884° W · 40 m · 3 mapped features
Mound 4 circular pyramid
pyramid30m circular ashlar pyramid
11.1872° S · 77.5885° WMound 5 rectangular pyramid
pyramidRectangular shicra mound east
11.1870° S · 77.5882° WShell midden beach
middenAnchoveta shell midden low
11.1875° S · 77.5887° W
Gallery