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<< Our Photo Pages >> Sacsayhuaman - Hillfort in Peru

Submitted by bat400 on Saturday, 11 December 2010  Page Views: 19983

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Sacsayhuaman Alternative Name: Saksaq Waman
Country: Peru Type: Hillfort
Nearest Town: Cusco, Peru
Latitude: 13.5091S  Longitude: 71.9822W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 2 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

bat400 visited on 17th Sep 2018 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

MartinJEley visited on 15th Apr 2016 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5 An impressive site where the sheer size of some of the stones used in its construction are incredible. The site is also the head of the Puma design incorporated in the street plan of Cusco.

mfrincu visited on 7th Apr 2015 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

PeterR87 visited on 20th Sep 2008 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5

ModernExplorers visited on 1st Sep 2003 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3 A fabulous site due to the puzzle-piece type rocks and the way they fit together

SolarMegalith visited on 1st Jul 2003 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

Dutch visited on 3rd Mar 1997 - their rating: Cond: 2 Very intriguing site, hard to imagine what it looked like before the Spanish started to use it as a quarry. Friendly locals around, giving information about it's history. Also some lippy kids standing gang like on the way up from Cusco, with a warning from an elderly lady to take heed for them.

Tdiver visited on 1st Jan 1991 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 5 Access: 5

PAB DrewParsons davidmorgan have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.5 Ambience: 4.57 Access: 4.43

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by davidmorgan : Some local fauna for the tourists. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Described by the Spanish as a fortress, the site may have served combined needs of military, religious, and political might. Overlooking the city of Cusco, the site (and possibly some of the visible structure) predates the Inca Empire, whose founding ruler, Pachacutec Inca, defeated a Ayarmaca culture near here in 1438.

The three zig-zagging megalithic walls bounding Sacsayhuaman on two sides and many of the other structures within the side are estimated to have been built around 1100, but were added to by the Incan Empire in the 15th Century. Most of the smaller buildings and the top runs of stone on the walls were torn down to create the historic Spanish colonial city below. Foundations still exist of three towers, one of which was the last strong hold of Manco Inca, a puppet ruler who turned and led a rebellion against the Spanish in 1536, four years after the initial defeat and capture of Atahualpa Inca.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Sacsayhuaman can be driven to in about 10 minutes from the old Cusco city center, or can be reached on foot in about 30 minutes if you have not been debilitated by the 3320 meter elevation. It is also on many guided tours of Cusco.

It is the final site of a winter solsice festival of the sun, Inti Raymi, actually held on June 24th (St. John the Baptist.) Celebrants, including those participating in a massive, historic pagent, march from the Coricancha (the Corral of Gold, or the Temple of the Sun) in Cusco to Sacsayhuaman. Music, dance, and oration by actors portraying the Inca court are all part of the ceremony, which is intended to duplicate aspects of the original Incan ceremony.

Note: Torrential Rains Damage Inca Wall. See comment.
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Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by KaiHofmann : Sacsayhuaman hillfort, image was taken in jan. 2013 by Michael Moll. Site in Peru (Vote or comment on this photo)

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by davidmorgan : These zigzag walls look good in satellite view. (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by KaiHofmann : Sacsayhuaman hillfort, image was taken in Jan. 2013 by Michael Moll. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by DrewParsons : The site visited in January 1995 whilst en route from Colombia to Chile (Vote or comment on this photo)

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by SolarMegalith : The walls of the fortress are up to 6 m high (photo taken on July 2003).

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by SolarMegalith : According to the tradition this pre-Colombian fortress located over Cuzco on altitude of 3701 meters over sea level was build by Inca Pachacutec. During the siege of this fortress Juan Pizarro, one of the four Pizarro brothers, was killed (photo taken on July 2003).

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by bat400 : Site in Cusco Department, Peru. Photo by bat400, September 2018.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by MartinJEley : One of the many examples of the complex masonry incorporated in the building of Sacsayhuaman.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by davidmorgan : The walls of Sacsayhuaman. 1994.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by KaiHofmann : Sacsayhuaman hillfort, image was taken in jan. 2013 by Michael Moll. Site in Peru

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by durhamnature : Old photo from "Inca Land Exploration..." via archive.org

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by durhamnature : Amazing masonry, from "South American Archaeology" via archive.org

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by davidmorgan : Massive fitted stonework at this Inca fortress.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by PeterR87 : Sacsayhuaman, Cusco, Peru, 2008.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Dutch : Wallcorners at Saqsaywaman. So called 'teeth of the puma'. February 1997, scan from B&W film.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Dutch : Gate in the walls of Saqsaywaman. February 1997, scan from color slide.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Dutch : Muyuq Marka, base of a tower at Sacsayhuamán, Cusco. Although not really megalithic, these remnants of a tower associate with megalithic monuments. Thanks to the Spanish I guess. The photo was taken in February 1997 with an Olympus OM2n camera and a Olympus OM Zuiko 28mm f/2.8 MC lens.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by DrewParsons : Photographed in January 1995

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by KaiHofmann : Sacsayhuaman hillfort, image was taken in jan. 2013 by Michael Moll. Site in Peru

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by KaiHofmann

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Jurgen : Walled complex near the old city of Cusco, Peru. (1 comment)

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Dutch : Gate in the walls of Saqsaywaman. February 1997, scan from colorslide.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Dutch : View of the Saqsaywaman stonewalls. February 1997, scan from colorslide.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman submitted by Dutch : Gate in the walls of Saqsaywaman. February 1997, scan from B&W film.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 829m SE 142° Museo de Arte Precolombino* Museum
 944m SSE 159° Cusco* Ancient Village or Settlement
 1.0km SSE 147° The Cusco Machu Picchu Museum* Museum
 1.3km E 90° Qenko* Ancient Temple
 1.4km SSE 151° Cusco - Qorikancha* Ancient Temple
 1.6km NE 34° Lanlakuyok Carving
 1.8km E 87° Kusilluchayoc Carving
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 2.0km ENE 79° Lacco Carving
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 3.6km NE 37° Puca Pucara* Stone Fort or Dun
 3.7km NNE 26° Tambomachay* Ancient Village or Settlement
 15.0km NNW 333° Puma Temple* Ancient Temple
 15.0km NNW 333° Chinchero* Ancient Village or Settlement
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 29.0km ESE 112° Chokepukio Ancient Village or Settlement
 29.8km NW 321° Las Salinas* Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry
 30.5km NW 311° Moray Terraces* Misc. Earthwork
 30.9km ESE 112° Pikillaqta Ancient Village or Settlement
 32.2km ESE 113° Rumiqullqa Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry
 36.3km NW 312° Ñaupa Iglesia* Ancient Temple
 37.6km NW 306° Raqaypata* Ancient Village or Settlement
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"Sacsayhuaman" | Login/Create an Account | 8 News and Comments
  
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New archaeological findings at Sacsayhuamán, Cusco, Peru by davidmorgan on Friday, 03 December 2010
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An Inca plate, a burial site and part of an Inca road have been found recently at the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site, overlooking Cusco, reported the Region Office of Culture.

One of the most visited tourist attractions in Cusco, Sacsayhuaman seems to never stop surprising archaeologists.

This time an Inca plate, as well as ceramic and bone fragments were found in trench n° 45, at the zone known as Q’enqo-Patallaqta.

Likewise at trench n° 51, a funerary burial was found with ceramic fragments, and at trench n° 59 ceremonial objects such as an urpu and an aríbalos (or amphora): characteristic shape Inca pottery.

In the surroundings, archaeologists also found the continuation of the Qhapaq Ñan, the prehispanic road that lead to the Antisuyo region, according to the Incas.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-13640-culture-history-new-archaeological-findings-sacsayhuaman-cusco-peru

Submitted by coldrum.
[ Reply to This ]

Torrential rains in Cusco damage Inca wall at Sacsayhuamán by bat400 on Wednesday, 20 January 2010
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Submitted by coldrum ---

Heavy rains have not only affected Lima this year, what is traditionally the start of the Andean wet-season has also seen rains heavier than usual, some even damaging ancient walls at the Inca site of Sacsayhuamán.

Part of the famous zig-zagged wall has been damaged after heavy rain. Washington Camacho, director of the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park informed news agencies that the collapse of the wall occurred about 2a.m. on the morning of the 14th of January after an accumulated 27 litres per square metre of rain fell.

Some 40 Inca stone bricks of significant size formed part of the area that collapsed, but work is already under way to repair the damage. According to Camacho work should be completed in 45 days after funds were immediately released. Two archaeologists, one architect and 30 labourers will be involved in the restoration.

Other areas of the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park, which contain some 50 archaeological sites, are being monitored to prevent further damage.

Source: enperublog.com.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Torrential rains in Cusco damage Inca wall at Sacsayhuamán by davidmorgan on Wednesday, 20 January 2010
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    I'd like to watch these guys put this back together again. I hope they're up to it and have the same expertise as their ancestors.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Torrential rains in Cusco damage Inca wall at Sacsayhuamán by Anonymous on Thursday, 21 January 2010
    At least they don't have to cut them to match perfectly first.
    [ Reply to This ]

Severed heads among discovery at Sacsayhuamán by bat400 on Monday, 16 November 2009
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Submitted by coldrum ---

Above the Inca capital of Cusco (Q’osco) sits the important ceremonial site and one of human-kinds most impressive constructions called Sacsayhuamán, which despite its global fame still offers up secrets to investigators. Yesterday the discovery was announced of three burials, one of which contained the severed heads of the Inca’s enemies.

The discovery was made within the archaeological park of Sacsayhuamán in the area of Qowikarana, under threat from illegal settlements of the city’s poor.

Chief on-site archaeologist Washington Camacho explains that three separate burials were found – one of an older man buried with a ceremonial knife, one of a young boy, and a third that is altogether more interesting.

In a giant urpu or raqui, Quechua for a large ceramic vessel, were three severed heads, accompanied by a pair of tikachamas (smaller vessels) and cochas (ceremonial plates).

The archaeologist explains the current hypothesis based on what we know about Inca society. Camacho explains that after some of the more difficult or notable battles, the Incas would decapitate their enemies to later use their heads as offerings in religious rituals. “The heads belong to the Huarichacas, an ethnic group that tried to invade sacred sites in southern Inca territory”, he explains. His theory is that emperor Pachacútec ordered the decapitation of the leaders of the invasion.

Qowikarana
In this northern sector of the archaeological park, a number of big discoveries have been made in recent times. These include the discovery of nine tombs, two of children in faetal positions, who had also been sacrificed for religious ceremonies.
Also discovered were the remains of a series of mixed adobe-stone buildings and terraces that matched exactly a scale model found in rock nearby.

The area in which these discoveries were made is under serious threat as migrants to the city of Cusco illegally construct their homes within the protected area. It had been mostly unexplored since coming under supposed-protection decades earlier and has now been covered by shanty town, destroying or obstructing 95% of the area.

To completely restore the zone, including the re-purchase of erroneously titled stolen land, the authority that was supposed to protect it in the first place, Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC), explains they need S/.10million, equivalent to $4million US. Despite the huge income from tourism in the region, corruption and stupidity keeps the money from going to where it needs to go. Instead, funds are put towards ridiculous plans to damage and exploit ancient sites further for monetary gain.

Source: enperublog.com
[ Reply to This ]
    Another article, same subject: Severed heads discovery at Sacsayhuamán by bat400 on Thursday, 19 November 2009
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    Also submitted by coldrum ---

    Peruvian archaeologists have reached the conclusion that the Incas decapitated their enemies to use their heads as offerings after finding three skulls in a ceremonial vessel in the southeastern city of Cuzco.

    The director of Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, Washington Camacho, told Efe Friday that the heads found this week on Qowicarana ridge, an ancient ceremonial center north of Cuzco, could have been those of ancient chiefs or leaders of peoples who were enemies of the Incas. For the archaeologist, the “trophy heads” could have been cut off “during a battle or in some other place after the capture of these “curacas” (chiefs of enemy peoples).

    It is believed, Camacho said, that the offering of heads belonged to “the last phase of the Inca Empire,” in other words around 1500, probably “when Huayna Capac reigned.”

    Archaeologists are continuing to excavate Qowicarana ridge in the belief that they will find the bodies of the three individuals, in order to determine whether the Incas really decapitated their enemies.



    For more, see the Latin American Herald
    [ Reply to This ]

Archaeologists have discovered ancient temple ruins that could predate the Inca by bat400 on Tuesday, 18 March 2008
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The temple on the periphery of the Sacsayhuaman fortress includes 11 rooms thought to have held mummies and idols.

The discovery at the famous spot overlooking the Incan capital of Cuzco includes ancient roadway and irrigation systems, said the team of experts.

Researchers are still waiting for carbon dating tests to verify the age of the ruins.

Made of stones and adobe, the temple is said to measure 2,700 sq ft (250 sq m) and includes an area in the shape of a Chacana, an Incan religious symbol.

"It's from both the Inca and pre-Inca cultures, it has a sequence," Washington Camacho, director of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, told AP news agency. "The Incas entered and changed the form of the temple, as it initially had a more rustic architecture."

The archaeologists believe the apparent irrigation system they have found was built by the Ayarmaca, who occupied the region between 900 to 1200.

Researchers said they had been lucky to find the temple, as part of it was destroyed nearly a century ago by dynamite blasts at a nearby rock quarry. The team's excavations began last summer and are expected to continue for another five years.



For more, see BBC News.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Archaeologists have discovered ancient temple ruins that could predate the Inca by bat400 on Tuesday, 18 March 2008
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    The news story above was submitted by coldrum.
    [ Reply to This ]

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