Pachacamac
Wari to Late Horizon (200 – 1533 CE)·Wari / Ychsma / Inca·🇵🇪 Lima, Peru
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About
About Pachacamac
Pachacamac in Lima, Peru is a Wari to Late Horizon (200 – 1533 CE) temple complex attributed to Wari / Ychsma / Inca culture. Pilgrimage oracle: 17 pyramids, Acllawasi 1220, Temple of Pachacamac idol, Pedro Pizarro 1533 sack. 50,000 pilgrims/year ethnohistoric. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built Temple Viejo c.200 CE, Temple of Sun 1450 CE; purpose: Coast's major oracle and pilgrimage center of earth creator Pacha Camac. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 100 m elevation.
Why it mattersPilgrimage oracle: 17 pyramids, Acllawasi 1220, Temple of Pachacamac idol, Pedro Pizarro 1533 sack. 50,000 pilgrims/year ethnohistoric.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Pachacamac
- 02Function and labor organization for temple-complex – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Wari / Ychsma / Inca
- 02Territorial marker / elite 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
- Temple Viejo c.200 CE, Temple of Sun 1450 CE
- Period
- Wari to Late Horizon (200 – 1533 CE)
- Culture
- Wari / Ychsma / Inca
- Builders
- Ychsma then Inca
- Purpose
- Coast's major oracle and pilgrimage center of earth creator Pacha Camac
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Temple Viejo c.200 CE, Temple of Sun 1450 CE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1500–1800 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
12.2580° S · 76.9000° W · 100 m · 4 mapped features
- Pachacamac — Principal MonumenttemplePrincipal Monument at Pachacamac – temple (Wari to Late Horizon (200 – 1533 CE)) – Pilgrimage oracle: 17 pyramids, Acllawasi 1220, Temple of Pa12.2570° S · 76.8990° W
- Pachacamac — Ancillary ComplexplatformAncillary Complex at Pachacamac – platform (Wari to Late Horizon (200 – 1533 CE)) – Pilgrimage oracle: 17 pyramids, Acllawasi 1220, Temple of Pa12.2592° S · 76.9008° W
- Pachacamac — Outlier FeatureplazaOutlier Feature at Pachacamac – plaza (Wari to Late Horizon (200 – 1533 CE)) – Pilgrimage oracle: 17 pyramids, Acllawasi 1220, Temple of Pa12.2560° S · 76.8985° W
- Pachacamac — Reservoir/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature at Pachacamac – reservoir/cistern managing water in Lima12.2600° S · 76.9015° W
Gallery