Huaca Pucllana: The Amazing Peruvian Pyramids

1.- INTRODUCTION TO HUACA PUCLLANA LIMA PERU

The archaeological complex of Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru is located in the city of Lima, in the district of Miraflores in the urban heart of the city. Its name comes from Quechua words, Huaca which means “sacred place” and Pucllana which means “playground”. During the first millennium within our history inhabitants of the Lima culture began the construction of the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru, with the passage of time and due to the expansion of this same culture increased in size.

The first settlers of Lima built these Peruvian Piramids with a religious purpose, for this they used the library technique that represents placing adobe bricks vertically with spaces in between, this technique served in an impressive way to preserve the construction and because in the area there was much telluric presence this construction technique allowed the absorption of the movement. As one of the Huaca Pucllana facts, is that inside you can also find trapezoidal shapes similar to those that exist in Machu Picchu, this causes its walls are wider at the base.

Today we see that the main attraction of the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru is its main pyramid which has a height of 80 feet, this is surrounded by ramps, large courtyards and a main square below, although of course the expectation of the experts who are responsible for its history is that in reality Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru was much larger but due to overpopulation was undergoing significant changes in its distribution.

2.- HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HUACA PUCLLANA LIMA PERU

The passage of time led to other cultures came to use the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru, for the eighth century an emerging culture in the south became recognized for its power, this culture was the Wari. Who came to expand along the central coast, ruling all the territory belonging to the first settlers of Lima and as a result also the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru between 800 and 900 AD, of course this expansion occurred mainly through alliances, avoiding violence.

When they arrived at the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru they understood that this place had been abandoned ceremonially, that is to say that the previous culture that had inhabited it no longer needed it so they buried on purpose the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru. However, the Wari used what was left of the main pyramid as a special and sacred place for burials. This is known because archaeologists found a deceased with Wari characteristics wrapped in finely woven textiles, in addition to having personal objects that would serve them for the next life.

Time later allowed the Ychsma culture to occupy Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru from the year 1000 to 1532, who gave Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru the same use as the Wari culture and also used it as a center for offerings and ceremonies for their gods. This culture stands out for its pottery, they made their offerings in pots that had the shape of a woman, this could replace or symbolize a human sacrifice.

Of course, with the arrival of the Spaniards in 1532 this place was displaced and relieved of its importance becoming just an ordinary space until the 80’s, when historians and archaeologists began the excavation of the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru to investigate more about its origin and purpose.

3.- ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

3.1.- The mud pyramid

Undoubtedly the most important construction in Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru, this is about 25 meters high and consists of 7 platforms or staggered levels with millions of adobe bricks, what makes it particular is that the adobe bricks were placed vertically, also known as Standing Book technique this to give the construction flexibility and resistance to seismic movements. It was used mainly for religious and ceremonial purposes in devotion to their gods.

3.2.- Squares and patios

At the base of the plaza there is a set of squares and patios that were used for meetings and in other cases as collective ceremonies. The plazas were wide and open allowing large groups to gather, even during excavations have come to find offerings (food, textiles, ceramics and others) indicating that this area was also used for sacrificial rituals and religious festivities.

3.3.- Ceremonial centers

Not only the mud pyramid is the most important, inside Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru can also be found secondary structures that were used for more specific ceremonies such as offerings and funerary matters. Here archaeologists came to discover tombs containing human remains along with offerings of high value which also highlights the importance of the person who was buried, probably were people belonging to the nobility.

4.- ONE DAY AT HUACA PUCLLANA LIMA PERU

Another Huaca Pucllana facts that few know is that thanks to its location, the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru is quite pedestrian friendly so getting to the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru is quite easy. For those who have accommodation near the boardwalk of Miraflores or Barranco it takes them a period of 35 minutes to get here walking, however there are those who also prefer to do it faster so they take a transport that can be hired directly with your travel agency or through an application such as Uber.

5.- CURRENT SCHEDULES AND FARES OF THE HUACA PUCLLANA LIMA PERU

6.- A RECORD OF HISTORY

“Did you know… for many years, the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru remained in oblivion, used as a garbage dump and even as a motocross track. However, since 1981, a team from the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Miraflores, has worked tirelessly to investigate, preserve and restore the complex.”

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7.- GUIDED TOURS INSIDE THE HUACA PUCLLANA LIMA PERU

Usually a guided experience inside the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru lasts about 45 minutes or up to 1 hour depending on your walking pace during the visit. In any case it is better to enjoy this experience with a professional guide who can help you understand the importance of its history, when you pay your admission to the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru also includes the guide service because only professionals authorized by the Museum Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru can make this tour inside this archaeological site.

Visiting the Huaca Pucllana Lima Peru will make your trip a historical experience that you could even consider a trip back in time, each step helps you to discover a little more of what once was one of the most important archaeological centers of Lima. Auri Peru has availability to visit the Peruvian Piramids every day, contact us and find out how to visit them.

“Visiting Peru is always worthwhile.”