PACHACAMAC

Just 19 mi. (30 km.) down the south Pan-American Highway, the ancient Pre-Columbian temple of Pachacamac rears over the fertile valley of Lurin. Built largely from adobe mud bricks, the temple housed an oracle that was considered, along with Cusco, to be the main ceremonial center in pre-Hispanic Peru. Pilgrims flocked there from far away to render homage to the God Pachacamac, believed to be the creator of the world and its creatures.

The Inca section (1440- 1533) is the best- preserved part of the archaeological complex.The site includes palaces, plazas and temples that have been painstakingly restored, and even includes an on-site museum that horses an interesting collection of pre-Hispanic relics.

More information:

• In calmer times, Lima before Pizarro (newsletter article).
• Lima culture (newsletter article).
• Pachacamac Ruins - Stone Sanctuary (newsletter article).