Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca)
Cahuachi Plaza
Old to Middle Kingdom (2700–1800 BCE)·Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom·🇵🇪 Ica, Nasca, Cahuachi, Peru
About
About Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca)
Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca) in Ica, Nasca, Cahuachi, Peru is a Old to Middle Kingdom (2700–1800 BCE) pyramid attributed to Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom. Systematic survey and LiDAR document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions base 22.5 m × 22.5 m; height 12 m; inclination 52°; area 1.1 ha. Excavation excavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom pyramid with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 360 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape model
- 02Elite residence hypothesis
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. 2600 BCE
- Period
- Old to Middle Kingdom (2700–1800 BCE)
- Culture
- Old Kingdom / Middle Kingdom
- Builders
- Old Kingdom
- Purpose
- Funerary monument and ritual complex
- Rediscovered
- 1894
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 861 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1915
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
14.8100° S · 75.1200° W · 360 m · 4 mapped features
- Main Pyramid CorepyramidMain Pyramid Core at Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca) — pyramid with stratified deposits14.8107° S · 75.1201° W
- Mortuary ChapelchapelMortuary Chapel at Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca) — chapel with stratified deposits14.8103° S · 75.1212° W
- Causeway SegmentcausewayCauseway Segment at Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca) — causeway with stratified deposits14.8091° S · 75.1176° W
- Subsidiary ShaftshaftSubsidiary Shaft at Cahuachi — Pyramid Ancillary Plaza (Nasca) — shaft with stratified deposits14.8084° S · 75.1206° W
Gallery