Submitted by coldrum --
Pre-Inca remains represent 40 percent of Machu Picchu Archaeological Park (Cusco), which hosts the well-known Inca citadel.
The director of this archeological park, Fernando Astete, explained that the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is only one of the 196 archeological complexes and sites of the zone which has an extension of 38,448 hectares. Astete explained that this 40 percent corresponds to the Killke culture, which inhabited this zone before the naissance of the biggest empire of South America. Killke developed between 1,000 and 1,400 A.C, belonged to the regional states of Cusco.
After confirming that the citadel of Machu Picchu was clearly Inca, Astete reported that this empire was built over Killke archaeological center.
“Usually, in some excavations where we find Inca remains we can also find Killke culture's remains under them, such as ceramics", he stated to Andina news agency.
Astete detailed that most of the Killke settlements are located in the area between the entrance of the Archaeological Park and one kilometre away from the Inca citadel.
Killke architecture "is characterized because it is very similar to the Inca's, though the latter stands out for its very well-defined, geometric, and very good finish structures."
"Killke has neither the Inca's geometry nor its good finish, instead it is much more rustic, he said.
He added that in Machu Picchu Archaeological Park there are traces of another even older PreInca culture: the Chanapata, which was developed during the formative period, but its architectural evidence is minimal.
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