Archaeological Places in Lima
From immemorial times different pre-Inca cultures that appeared in the history inhabited the Rímac valley and territories around Lima. In its origins an old fishermen town was located here, with great religious tradition. In later period the pre-Inca cultures of Maranga and Aramburú were developed, then followed the Collas, Huachos and the Huallas cultures, and finally they were conquered by the Incas.
The Incas respected the religions of the conquered people and they added their gods, reason for which many pre-Inca religious centers stayed until the arrival of the Spaniards.
All these towns and cultures left archaeological remains, some of them, at the moment well conserved and others restored, outstanding among those:
(UNESCO World Heritage Site) The Sacred City of Caral 5000-year-old and 626-hectare is an archaeological site situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green valley of the Supe river, 184 Km. north of Lima city. It dates back to the Late Archaic Period of the Central Andes and is the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas.
Located 31 Km (19 miles) from Lima on the Pan-American Highway South (45 minutes by car), in the valley of Lurín. It was the most important pre-Inca ceremonial center on the Peruvian coast. Main pre-Inca adoration and ceremonial center of the inhabitants' of the valley of Rímac in which the God Pachacámac was venerated. The investigations presume that this place was inhabited since the year 200 up to 1533.
Pre-Inca and Inca archaeological construction. From the pre-Inca constructions stand out the "Templo Pintado" (colored temple) and the "Templo Viejo" (old temple), built with small adobes and pyramids with ramps. After the Inca conquest (1440-1533) they built next to them the "Templo del Inti" (Temple of sun) and an "acllahuasi" (house prepared for the chosen girls). The Temple of Inti has a flight of stairs made of stones and passages that go along the edge of the main structure, built with adobes. On him a great terrace exists with view to the sea, and is related with the islands in front of this group with an old legend.
Pachacámac was the God creator of life and of the universe and it was not personified. The state of conservation of this location and its restoration offer a great show of cultural historical interest.
Site Museum: Daily attention from 09:00 to 17:00, exhibition of archaeological remains found in this complex, ceramic, textile, idols, etc.
Located in the intersection of Avenida El Rosario and Avenida Nicolás de Rivera, San Isidro district. Visiting hours: Tue. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.. Pre-Inca adoration place, pyramidal huaca built with adobes (bricks made with mud), it is restored. Site museum houses pieces found during the excavations of the area.
Located in General Borgoño street, block 8 (Near Avenida Angamos Oeste, block 4 and Avenida Arequipa, block 45) in Miraflores. Visiting hours: Wed. – Mon. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. A ceremonial center dating from earliest stages of the Lima culture. Huaca with a pyramidal shape, pre-Inca adoration site dedicated to the God Pachacámac. Sometimes, events or musical shows take place there. You can also find a site museum that exhibits pieces found in the excavations.
Puruchuco (Quechua voice: Hat of feathers)
Located Kilometer marker 4,5. Carretera Central east of Lima. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. and holidays – 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Inca archaeological site, the Inca buildings (1440 A.D. – 1533 A.D.) are made of mud and adobe. Palace in which "caciques" (political chief of the city) or important people exercised domain over the valley of Rímac. The space is distributed along geometric lines and divided into three sectors, the most interesting being the area of patios and lookouts. During the excavation process, several mummies were recovered, characterized by being placed in a fetal position and accompanied by everyday objects. You will find an interesting site Museum.
Located at Kilometer Marker 10 Carretera Central, take the turnoff on the right hand side of the Rimac River and drive 5 Km (3 miles) lower part of the Jicamarca gorge, east of Lima, in the denominated place Huachipa. Inca archaeological complex, citadel with walled square, numerous barns or food deposits. It was built during the sixth and seventh centuries A.D., the period corresponding to the Lima culture. Its 167 hectares of mud buildings are considered the second largest among the pre-Hispanic Andean mud cities (after Chan Chan in La Libertad).
San Juan de Pariache
Located at 9.94 miles (16 Km) to the east of Lima. Inca archaeological location, of very similar construction to the archaeological center of Puruchuco.