Ushnu of Vilcashuamán
Ushnu Platform Vilcas · Vilcashuamán Pyramid Ushnu
Late Horizon Inca Imperial (1440–1532 CE, ushnu 1450–1480)·Inca (Pachacuti / Topa Inca – Vilcas province)·🇵🇪 Ayacucho, Vilcashuamán Province, Peru
About
About Ushnu of Vilcashuamán
Imperial Inca stepped pyramid-ushnu (1450–1530, Pachacuti foundation) at center of Inca provincial capital Vilcashuamán (Vilcas, 22 sq km Inca city, 700+ buildings): Ushnu 30×30 m base 12 m high five-tier pyramid of finely cut andesite with double throne seat atop, dual stairways, subterranean drainage and spur wall linking to plaza. Great plaza 600×300 m capacity 35,000 surrounded by hall-type barracks. Gave Vilcas its name 'sacred falcon'; Garcilaso and Cieza described capacocha sacrifices on ushnu throne.
Why it mattersMost intact provincial ushnu in Inca empire; exemplifies Inca provincial capital design mirroring Cusco ushnu ritual typology at 22 sq km city scale.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Twin thrones for Sapa Inca and coya or sun/moon
- 02Subterranean channel function—libation vs drainage
Theories
- 01Portable Cusco legitimacy projected to conquered Chanka territory
- 02Front for 1438 Pachacuti Chanka war staging ground
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.1450–1470
- Period
- Late Horizon Inca Imperial (1440–1532 CE, ushnu 1450–1480)
- Culture
- Inca (Pachacuti / Topa Inca – Vilcas province)
- Purpose
- State ceremonial pyramid–throne for capacocha and solar rites of Vilcas capital
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1450–1470
Initial construction
c. 1416 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
13.6533° S · 73.9528° W · 3500 m · 2 mapped features
Five-tier ushnu pyramid throne
pyramid30×30 m 12 m high stepped throne platform with double seat atop
13.6531° S · 73.9526° WGreat plaza and hall barracks
plaza600×300 m plaza with flanking long halls 40 m (Viracocha barracks)
13.6536° S · 73.9532° W
Gallery