Ancash

Willcahuain and Ichic Willcahuain Archaeological Complex

Willcahuain means “house of the grandson.” The site dates to between 700 and 900 AD and was likely built under the influence of the Wari culture. The main building was constructed on a platform that was partially filled with stone and earth in order to create a flat area.

Waullac

Waullac dates from the pre-Inca times, around the year 600 AD (Middle Horizon Period) linked to the Recauy culture, and belonging to the Wari period.

Las Aldas Archaeological Site

An ancient archaeological site dating to 1600 BC. Experts have speculated that its location on the top of a peak gave the builders control of a nearby bay. Another hypothesis is that Aldas was used for religious ceremonies.

Chanquillo Observatory

Considered the oldest solar observatory in the Americas, this enormous complex was built in the 4th century BC along Peru’s coastal desert. Composed of three concentric oval outer walls, the site covers 4 square kilometers. The “observatory” is a line of evenly spaced low stone towers — “the 13 Towers of Chanquillo” — that run on a north-south axis along ridge.

Warriors of Sechin Archaeological Complex

The complex sits on the ridge of a rocky peak and its facade is a wall covered with about 400 stones, carved to represent two columns of approaching warriors. Interspersed between them are depictions of people to be sacrificed amid amputated limbs.

Tumshukaico Archaeological Monument

Tumshukaico is the ruins of an extensive temple complex built from the yellow rock typical of Chachapoyas monuments and featuring carved stone sculptures.

Pashas Archaeological Site

This site is linked to the Recuay culture (Early Intermediate Period, c. 100BC-600AD). It consists of 4 structures locally called “caserones” (literally: big, rambling houses). The buildings feature an outer retaining wall with internal chambers constructed on a stone base.

“Cave of the Guitarist” (Cueva de Guitarrero)

This cave is the oldest site found in Peru that shows signs of humans experimenting with the domestication of plants. It was occupied from approximately 9700 BC. Researchers believe that it was used as camping area for a band of hunter-gatherers that lived here for part of the year, only to abandon agricultural pursuits during the hunting season.

Sanctuary of Punkuri

The old name for this temple was “Punguchuco,” which means “door” or “hat” in the local language. The complex is believed to have been built by the Sechin culture, dating from 2000-1500 BC. The building is made of two platforms connected by a flight of stairs, and was constructed from adobe and flat slabs of stone, connected by mud mortar.

Chavín de Huántar Complex

The ancient capital of the Chavin culture dates from approximately 1200 BC until its decline in 200 BC. That era is known as the Formative period. The complex is comprised of a series of massive stone buildings. Their scale and the anthropomorphic and animal designs carved on the walls suggest they were temples. The site is on a flood prone river valley, a problem resolved by an ingenious drainage system. Some experts argue that the rushing water was channeled to create the sound of a jaguar’s roar throughout the temple.

Mojeque y Pampa de Llamas

The Pampa de Llamas is an elaborately planned, almost symmetrical urban center in the form of a large central building made from adobe bricks and mud mortar, with smooth-sided walls covered in multi-colored painted murals and high relief carvings. The rounded corners and the human and serpent figures carved on them are reminiscent of the Sechin culture, closely linked to the builders of this complex.

La Galgada Archaeological Site

Belongs to the Formative Period (2000 BC – 200 BC). The site appears to have been a place for religious or mystic ritual. La Galgada consists of several circular buildings, each with a circular furnace, in the middle of a pyramidal structure.

Citadel of Pañamarca

This archaeological monument is considered a religious center of the Moche culture. This expansive citadel was built on a large rocky elevated platform by the occupants of the Empeña Valley, during the Formative Period.