Laguna de los Cóndores Annex
Cóndores Mausoleum Annex
Late Intermediate Chachapoya 1200–1470 CE, chachapoya mummy bundles·Chachapoyas·🇵🇪 Amazonas, Chachapoyas Province, Peru
About
About Laguna de los Cóndores Annex
Northern annex of famed Laguna de los Cóndores cliff 150 m north of main 6-mausoleum group above lake: 8 painted gable-roofed chullpas (mausoleums) with tiered niches containing ~60 seated mummy bundles (some with textiles intact), exposed 1996 after landslip. Conservation by Leimebamba Museum. Access via 12 km mule trail + 400 m cliff descent.
Why it mattersExtension of most intact Chachapoya mummy necropolis, preserving 200+ bundles total when combined with main group.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether annex bundles are distinct lineage from main group
- 02How bundles survived centuries at 85% humidity
Theories
- 01Lineage-specific cliff subdivision marking Utcubamba ayllu territories
- 02Inca-era re-burial of Chachapoya resistance dead post-1470
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.1200–1470 CE (Late Intermediate Chachapoya, mummies 800–1470 CE)
- Period
- Late Intermediate Chachapoya 1200–1470 CE, chachapoya mummy bundles
- Culture
- Chachapoyas
- Purpose
- Cliff annex 150 m north of main Laguna de los Cóndores mausoleum cliff housing 8 additional painted chullpas and newly exposed bundle bays
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1200–1470 CE (Late Intermediate Chachapoya, mummies 800–1470 CE)
Initial construction
1470 CE, chachapoya mummy bundles
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
6.8510° S · 77.6960° W · 2530 m · 2 mapped features
Annex gable chullpas
mausoleum8 painted gable-roofed chullpas with tiered niches on cliff
6.8500° S · 77.6950° WBundle bays inside cliff
burial60 seated textile-wrapped bundles in chullpa bays
6.8520° S · 77.6970° W