Choquequirao
Cradle of Gold · Choquequirao Archaeological Park
Inca Imperial 1450–1530 Neo-Inca to 1572·Inca (Pachacuti? Topa Yupanqui)·🇵🇪 Cusco Region (Apurimac canyon rim), Peru
About
About Choquequirao
Remote sister to Machu Picchu (Royal Inca 1450–1530 CE, Neo-Inca 1530–1572 refuge) perched 3050 m above Apurimac canyon opposite Salkantay: 6 km2 terraced site with Hanan (upper) administrative/ceremonial terraces with mysterious white Llama decorations (Llamas of the Sun) 20 stylized llama outlines in white stone on terrace walls, Urin lower sector and kallanka hall. Only ~30% excavated; trek only access.
Why it mattersMost intact undiscovered large Inca city; llama terraces unique Inca zoological geoglyph
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Llama terrace white stones Inca llama herd vs coca vs alpaca debate
- 02Relationship to Machu Picchu twin-purpose
Theories
- 01Neo-Inca Vilcabamba twin capital thesis
- 02Cultural reserve upland buffer vs river
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.1470 under Topa Yupanqui (?), expansion Wayna Qhapaq
- Period
- Inca Imperial 1450–1530 Neo-Inca to 1572
- Culture
- Inca (Pachacuti? Topa Yupanqui)
- Purpose
- Royal estate / Inca refuge after Spanish; llamas symbol of royal herd
- Abandoned
- 1572 Vilcabamba fall abandonment
- Rediscovered
- 1700s local known
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1470
Topa conquers Apurimac region
1537
Manco retreat maybe uses
1909
Bingham visits briefly
On the ground
Structures & features
13.3925° S · 72.8739° W · 3050 m · 3 mapped features
Hanan White Llama Terraces
terraceSet of 20 llama figures in white limestone on terrace risers
13.3928° S · 72.8733° WKallanka Hall
hallInca great hall 70 m long
13.3922° S · 72.8745° WLower Urin Sector
agriculturalLower terrace farm and reservoir sector
13.3935° S · 72.8740° W
Gallery