Cochasquí
Parque Arqueológico Cochasquí · Cochasquí Pyramids · Quitoloma Cochasquí
Integration–Late Period (Carchi–Quitu-Cara–Inca)·Quitu-Cara (Ecuadorian Highlands) with Inca overlay·🇪🇨 Pichincha, Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador
Wikipedia contributors · CC (see file page)
About
About Cochasquí
Highland Cara-Quitu truncated ramp pyramids (c.1250–1500 CE, Inca overlay 1480–1500), with 15 earthen flat-topped truncated pyramids ( Pyramid N2 80×80 m base, 21 m high; ramp 200 m) on 84 ha plateau at 3,040 m, borro-pits, tolas burial mounds, and Inca mitimae enclosure. Excavated by Max Uhle 1932, Oberem 1964–65 and Athens-Ecuador 2016; produced Quitu-cara ceramics, obsidian, solstitial alignments along pyramid ramps eastward to Cayambe volcano equatorial line (0°). Monumental Andean equatorial astronomy center.
Why it mattersLargest highland Ecuador pyramid field; tests equatorial solstice astronomy and Quitu-Cara statehood vs Inca insertion.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Exact ramp azimuth purpose — Cayambe equatorial vs solstitial vs lunar standstill
- 02Correlation of 15 pyramids to ayllu clan segments
Theories
- 01Ramp pyramids as equatorial gnomons calibrating agrarian calendar for 3,040 m maize–potato transition
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.1250–1500 CE (Quitu-Cara) with Inca addition c.1480
- Period
- Integration–Late Period (Carchi–Quitu-Cara–Inca)
- Culture
- Quitu-Cara (Ecuadorian Highlands) with Inca overlay
- Builders
- Quitu-Cara (Cara) and Inca mitimae
- Purpose
- Ritual–astronomical ramp-pyramid center marking equatorial solstices via Cayambe, elite burial and Inca administration
- Abandoned
- c.1500 CE (Spanish Conquest)
- Rediscovered
- Uhle 1932; park established 1981
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
0.0547° N · 78.3044° W · 3040 m · 2 mapped features
Gallery