Cochasqui Northern Pyramids
Cochasqui North Group · Parque Arqueológico Cochasqui Norte
Late Intermediate Caranqui 950–1470 CE to Inca 1470–1534 CE·Caranqui (Quitu-Cara, Cayambe) Cayambi-Inca·🇪🇨 Pichincha Province, Pedro Moncayo Canton, Ecuador
About
About Cochasqui Northern Pyramids
Northern cluster of Cochasqui Archaeological Park 28 miles north of Quito at 3100 m on Mojanda slopes: truncated earthen pyramids 20–24 m high on cangahua (volcanic) rock core, with ramps up to 290 yards (265 m) facing east and burial mounds (tolas). Attributed to Cara-Quitu and reused by Inca; theorized astronomical-solstice observatory with 240° visibility to snowcapped Andes. Queen Quilago legend hides pyramids with grass.
Why it mattersLargest Caranqui pyramid complex and highest Andean pyramid center, demonstrating Cayambe astronomy before Inca, and legend of Quilago resistance to Huayna Capac.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How ramps oriented east within 1° of equinox sunrise at 3100 m
- 02Whether Cochasqui pyramids electively grass-covered for defense against Inca
Theories
- 01Solar planting calendar center for Cayambe maize
- 02Caranqui fortress-observatory resisting Inca expansion from Quito
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.950–1550 CE (Caranqui-Quitu Late Intermediate to Inca)
- Period
- Late Intermediate Caranqui 950–1470 CE to Inca 1470–1534 CE
- Culture
- Caranqui (Quitu-Cara, Cayambe) Cayambi-Inca
- Builders
- Caranqui
- Purpose
- Fifteen truncated earthen pyramids (largest 80 m base) with 290 m ramps oriented east for solar-solstice astronomical-ceremonial center, northernmost at 3100 m on Mojanda foothills
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.950–1550 CE (Caranqui-Quitu Late Intermediate to Inca)
Initial construction
1534 CE
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
0.0567° N · 78.3102° W · 3100 m · 2 mapped features
Pyramid 9— stepped cangahua wall
pyramidPyramid 9 with exposed stepped cangahua rock wall 24 m high
0.0570° N · 78.3090° W265 m east ramp and tola burial mound
rampEast-facing ramp 265 m to plaza and adjacent tola burial mound cluster
0.0560° N · 78.3110° W