An Archeological Tour of Pachacamac

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In addition to being one of Peru’s capital city and country’s most urban zone, Lima has historical monuments which where built centuries ago since the beginning of the region’s civilization. Without a doubt the most mystical and spiritual site left behind by the ancient inhabitants of the land has been and continues to be Pachacamac.

The Ruins
The name Pachacamac comes from the Quechuan word Pacha which means world and Camac meaning to inspire. In terms of language, both words were only reserved for the people’s divine supreme creator of man and supernatural forces. The ruins are located on the left bank of the Lurin river in the river’s namesake district located 30 km (18 miles) south of Lima.

During the high-point of the Wari people’s civilization (7th century) and with their capital in the Ayacucho region, Pachacamac was the principal sanctuary where millions of people from many cities and towns would journey to see the oracle. There, the oracle would reveal future events and bring to light past consequences and actions that would help travelers’ lives.

The ruins of Pachacamac were made from clay and built upon a flat terrain where three rock ridges protrude among the clay structures. On the ridges, three temples were built: The Original Temple, The Temple of the Sun, and The Temple of the Moon.

The Original Temple has been speculated to be built approximately in the 6th century. The temple is known to be the first temple built and has views overlooking the northeastern city walls built to provide protection from invader.
The Temple of the Sun is the most structurally intact of the three temples and stands at 40 m (130 ft) making it the tallest of the three temples in the sanctuary. The temple was built with five giant curbs which take the form of a pyramid and which also provide access to the temple entrance. Because of its structure, it is believed that the temple was annexed to the sanctuary during the Inca reign (15th century) in order to have pilgrims pay tribute to the empire’s god.

Acllahuasi, or the Temple of the Moon, was considered the sanctuary of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and was inhabited by chosen women fit for Incan the concubine title. The Temple is the newest of the three complete with Incan architecture and grooves at the base where small vegetable offerings where given in turn for a prosperous harvest.

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Touring
To go on this archeological tour of the Pachacamac ruins, you can contact tourist agencies like Info Travel Peru which offers a package complete with transportation and a three hour tour of the sanctuary, the temples, and the on-site museum.

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