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Pikillacta is an ancient archaeological site located quite close to Cusco’s contemporary city. Constructed by the Wari civilization, a pre-Inca culture that flourished in the Andina region between 500 and 1000 d.C. The site is renowned for its remarkable architectural features, which include its large adobe structures, extensive streets, and plazas, arguably one of the best preserved cities, Pikillacta served as the ceremonial and administrative hub for the Wari people.
The site covers an area of approximately 50 hectares and includes several compounds surrounded by walls. The buildings within these compounds are typically rectangular in shape and made of adobe bricks. One of the most notable features of Pikillacta is its well-defined grid layout, which is characteristic of Wari urban planning.
The site also contains a number of smaller structures, such as storage rooms and residential buildings, indicating that it was a bustling urban center during its heyday. Although Pikillacta predates the Inca Empire, it is located in close proximity to Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire.
This proximity suggests that the Inca may have been aware of Pikillacta, and may have even interacted with the site in some way. However, the exact nature of the relationship between the Wari and the Inca remains a topic of debate among archaeologists. Pikillacta is a fascinating archaeological site located in the southern highlands of Peru, near of Cusco. Here’s a brief overview of its history:
Pikillacta was founded by the Wari civilization, a pre-Columbian civilization with an expansive nature that flourished in the Andean region somewhere between 500 and 1100 d.C. Pikillacta was one of the Wari empire’s regional administrative centers. The empire was notable for its administrative and architectural accomplishments. Located in southern Peru, it has the potential to spread to neighboring countries.
The site exhibits typical Wari architectural features, including rectangular structures, wide streets, and a planned layout. This suggests that Pikillacta was an important administrative and ceremonial center. Within the Wari Empire serving as a hub for controlling the surrounding region.
Like many other Wari sites pikillacta was abandoned around 1100 AD. Due to the invasion of other small groups, which developed in the valley of the city of cusco. Or due to adverse climatological reasons that occurred in the area, as a result, these would be environmental factors. Such as droughts or agricultural depletion, which would have contributed to the decline of the wari civilization, and abandonment of the city.
The Wari Empire collapsed, and the Inca civilization took over the location. which erected buildings above the pre-existing Wari architecture. The Inca civilization is renowned for its highly developed administrative structures and amazing architectural achievements. Furthermore, Pikillacta was probably reused for religious and governmental functions.
Pikillacta, along with the rest of the Inca Empire. Fell into the hands of the spanish conquistadors, in the 16th century. The Spanish conquest marked the end of Inca culture, and the beginning of a new era of colonial rule. Today, Pikillacta is a World Heritage Site and invites you to explore its rich history and admire its impressive architecture, It serves as a testament to the great civilizations. That once thrived in the Andean region, of South America.
