Cahuachi Adobe Pyramids
Cahuachi · Centro Ceremonial Cahuachi · Nazca capital
Early Nazca / Protopalpa 400 BCE–450 CE (peak 100 BCE–300 CE)·Nazca (Paracas → Nazca)·🇵🇪 Ica, Nazca Province, Peru
About
About Cahuachi Adobe Pyramids
Ceremonial capital of Nazca culture (400 BCE–450 CE) with 40 adobe mounds over 150 ha, including Great Pyramid 28 m high (150 × 100 m base, 3 platforms) and Temple Hill pyramid 20 m. Not a profane city but periodic pilgrimage centre for Nazca Lines authors – plaza for 11,000 pilgrims, no permanent houses, pottery dumps and trophy heads. Abandoned after Huayuri eruption. Excavated by Strong, Kroeber, Orefici 1984–.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Absence of permanent domestic structures vs pilgrimage model
Theories
- 01Great Pyramid as artificial Cerro Blanco dune mimic for rain cult; Lines pointing to Cahuachi pilgrimage processions
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Great Pyramid c.300 BCE–100 CE sequential terraces
- Period
- Early Nazca / Protopalpa 400 BCE–450 CE (peak 100 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Nazca (Paracas → Nazca)
- Purpose
- Theocratic pilgrimage centre servicing Nazca Lines geoglyphs
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
Great Pyramid c.300 BCE–100 CE sequential terraces
Initial construction
c. 1108 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
14.8186° S · 75.1167° W · 380 m · 3 mapped features
Great Pyramid (Gran Pirámide) 28m 5 terraces
pyramidLargest adobe pyramid – 5 superimposed terraces
14.8186° S · 75.1167° WTemple of the Stepped Fret (Templo del Escalonado)
templePolychrome stepped fret frieze
14.8180° S · 75.1160° WPlaza de los Peregrinos 100×50m
plazaPilgrimage plaza for thousands tent camps
14.8195° S · 75.1175° W