Incahuasi de Lunahuaná (Cañete)
Inkawasi Cañete · New Cuzco of Topa Inca · Lunahuaná Inca Centre
Late Horizon Inca Imperial (1480–1536 CE)·Inca (Topa Inca Yupanqui – Wanka campaign)·🇵🇪 Lima, Cañete Province, Peru
About
About Incahuasi de Lunahuaná (Cañete)
Planned Inca city founded by Topa Inca Yupanqui c.1480 to replicate Cusco as headquarters for conquering Guarco (Huarcu) kingdom of Cañete valley: full Qorikancha-like Temple of the Sun with trapezoidal niches on hill spur, ushnu, colcas, barracks, and quadrangular kancha palace copying Cusco's Coricancha plan at 700×300 m scale, linked by 8 km walled Inca road from sea to sierra. Described by Cobo as 'New Cuzco'. After Spanish minor loco 1533 fell into ruin; Hyslop 1985 mapped 50 buildings. Most complete Inca replica city.
Why it mattersOnly preserved Inca 'copy' of Cusco demonstrating state practice of symbolic urban replication for conquest logistics (mita).
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why replicate Cusco plan so precisely vs adapt locally
- 02River canal feeding city extent
Theories
- 01Political theater to impose Cusco legitimacy on Wanka–Guarco
- 02Forward supply depot for Vilcas and coastal Inca road
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.1480–1486
- Period
- Late Horizon Inca Imperial (1480–1536 CE)
- Culture
- Inca (Topa Inca Yupanqui – Wanka campaign)
- Purpose
- Staging capital and symbolic 'New Cusco' for Cañete valley conquest
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1480–1486
Initial construction
c. 1554 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
13.0275° S · 76.1644° W · 390 m · 2 mapped features
Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha replica)
temple50×35 m sun temple with trapezoidal niche wall on spur
13.0270° S · 76.1641° WKancha palace and ushnu plaza
templeQuadrangular kancha palace 60×50 m and stepped ushnu 8 m
13.0280° S · 76.1648° W
Gallery