Huaca Soledad (Casma Valley) Pyramid Mound
Huaca Soledad · Casma Soledad · Soledad Valley Pyramid · Sechin Soledad?
Initial Period (Casma–Sechín culture)·Sechín / Casma (Initial Period)·🇵🇪 Áncash, Casma Valley — Pampa Colorada, Soledad north of Sechín, Peru
About
About Huaca Soledad (Casma Valley) Pyramid Mound
Casma-Sechín Initial Period (1800–900 BCE) pyramid mound south of Sechín Alto — Huaca Soledad is a 35×25 m platform pyramid 8 m high with Early Horizon? massive adobe retaining and U-shaped plaza oriented to Sechín Alto. Part of Sechín–Casma monumental cluster (Sechín Alto 300×250 m is largest New World monument; Soledad is mid-scale satellite). Excavated by Pozorskis (University of Texas) as part of Casma polity (Sechín culture). Adobe bricks of conical shape distinctive. Satellite to Sechín Alto polity.
Why it mattersMiddle-scale Casma-Sechín satellite pyramid helping define Sechín Alto polity hierarchy; conical adobes are chronological marker.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hierarchy — Soledad subordinate or rival to Sechín Alto
- 02Relation to Cerro Sechín heads off
Theories
- 01Sechín polity was multi-pyramid network like Caral–Aspero but maritime-Casma adapted
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. 1600–1000 BCE (Initial Period, Sechín–Casma)
- Period
- Initial Period (Casma–Sechín culture)
- Culture
- Sechín / Casma (Initial Period)
- Builders
- Casma chiefs (Sechín Alto polity)
- Purpose
- Satellite temple pyramid for Sechín polity
- Abandoned
- c. 900 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1980s (Pozorskis Casma Valley Project)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1600–1000 BCE (Initial Period, Sechín–Casma)
Initial construction
c. 1166 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
9.4872° S · 78.2431° W · 80 m · 2 mapped features
Soledad platform pyramid
pyramid35×25 m adobe platform pyramid 8 m
9.4872° S · 78.2431° WU-shaped plaza north
plaza40×30 m plaza oriented to Sechín Alto
9.4869° S · 78.2433° W