Huaca Mateo Salado — Lima Five-Pyramid Complex
Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado · Mateo Salado
Late Intermediate to Late Horizon — Ychsma (1100–1450 CE) then Inca (1450–1532 CE)·Ychsma (Ichma) then Inca·🇵🇪 Lima Region, Lima Province, Breña District, Plaza de la Bandera west, Peru
About
About Huaca Mateo Salado — Lima Five-Pyramid Complex
Island of five pyramids in dense Breña–Cercado between avenues Mariano Cornejo and Tingo María, Lima’s most important Ichma centre later co-opted as Inca provincial capital of the Chillón–Rimac valley. Pyramid A truncated with ramp, summit corridors and frieze traces; Pyramid B elite residence; C storage; D ceremonial; E platform. Qhapaq Ñan causeway segment crosses complex linking Lima to Pachacamac 30 km south, proving Lima valley Inca road system. Textile and ceramic caches date Ichma to Inca transition. Active museum and night illumination.
Why it mattersLargest preserved pyramid field within Lima metropolis; Ychsma–Inca urban transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of each pyramid differentiation
Theories
- 01Five pyramids correspond to ayllu lineage houses assembled under Ichma paramount before Inca centralization
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. 1100–1450 CE Ychsma, Inca remodel c. 1470 CE
- Period
- Late Intermediate to Late Horizon — Ychsma (1100–1450 CE) then Inca (1450–1532 CE)
- Culture
- Ychsma (Ichma) then Inca
- Builders
- Ychsma
- Purpose
- Urban Ichma administrative-ceremonial pyramid complex with five stepped tapial pyramids aligned to Qhapaq Ñan Inca road linking to Pachacamac
- Excavation
- Excavated
2007
Proyecto Mateo Salado starts systematic excavation
2016
Parque Arqueológico opened with Pyramid A bridge
On the ground
Structures & features
12.0675° S · 77.0642° W · 130 m · 2 mapped features
Pyramid A principal pyramid and ramp
pyramidMain 19 m pyramid with summit accesses, terraces and Qhapaq Ñan ramp alignment
12.0670° S · 77.0642° WQhapaq Ñan causeway segment
roadInca road segment crossing between pyramids toward Pachacamac
12.0680° S · 77.0642° W
Gallery