[Aztlan] Cahuachi complex in Peru huge

[michael ruggeri]

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=311949&sid=FTP

Pre-Colombian ceremonial discovered in Peru


Nazca, July 28: An ancient pyramid unearthed from the sands of the  
Cahuachi desert in Peru has been revealed to be part of a huge pre- 
Colombian ceremonial centre of great archaeological importance.

Archaeologists working on the great pyramid have revealed that it is  
made up of seven levels of solid adobe walls and geometric access  
ramps, and is the largest mud building within the ceremonial centre.  
It's complex structure reveals the engineering skills and  
architectural richness behind its construction.

But while the grand pyramid is the centre's principal structure, the  
Cahuachi ceremonial centre also contains 34 other pyramidal temples,  
of between 15 and 35 metres in height.

According to Giuseppe Orefici, the director of the Italian Centre of  
Pre-Columbian Archaeological Studies and Investigations, which has  
been working in the area for 23 years, all of the structures found in  
the area are related to worship.

"We have a stretch of almost seven and a half kilometres of pure  
temples, we are talking about 34 pyramidal sets, each one of 4, 5, 6,  
7 groups, big temples with the steps form, with the pyramid form, but  
the most surprising thing is there are no rooms, there are no  
dwellings, it's a purely ceremonial centre, they are all temples  
present in the whole Cahuachi area," he said.

What sets this centre apart is that all of the buildings are made  
from adobe.

"It's the biggest in the world in adobe, because the 24 square  
kilometres of the general Cahuachi set are greater than any other  
construction," said Orefici.

It is believed that the priests lived in the grand pyramid, and were  
in charge of the ceremonies and sacrifices. People would convene at  
the centre to participate in the offerings to the gods and other  
ceremonies. It is estimated that during times of pilgrimage, at least  
100,000 people would arrive in the area, although this figure has not  
been confirmed. Minor religious rites and ceremonies would have been  
conducted in the smaller structures throughout the centre.

According to historian Josue Lancho, it was the biggest theocratic  
centre in the world during its time, and its discovery is of great  
significance.

"It's the biggest theocratic centre in the world, the biggest mud  
city in the world, because of the greatness of the findings we can  
say that it was the pre-Hispanic Vatican," he said.

Some eighty percent of the area has been excavated, revealing temples  
constructed in perfect harmony with the geological formation of the  
mountains around the grand pyramid.

It is likely that the priests who lived at Cahuachi were also  
political leaders, planning economic and cultural activities, and may  
have also designed the enormous figures still seen drawn on the Nazca  
plains.

Excavations reveal that a giant linear geoglyph connects one of the  
sides of the great pyramid with the famous Nazca drawings, proving  
the drawings are closely linked with the ceremonial centre.

It is believed that the centre was buried in a flood, resulting in  
the complex being buried under tones of sand until its recent  
rediscovery.

Bureau Report