Ancient Destinations Peru

Some of the world's most mysterious sites to explore can be found in Peru. Enigmatic drawings etched on desert floors, elusive Inca cities and the world's largest pre-hispanic mud brick citadel are all just a few of what can be seen here. Peru is a must see for any traveller looking for a true exploration.

Photo: welsh boy

Located in the Nazca Desert of Peru are the Nazca Lines. They are believed to have been created by the Nazcan Culture that flourished from the 2nd century BC to 600 AD. Travellers here will be overwhelmed by a series of complex geoglyphs (drawings in the ground) measuring up to 300 meters long. These unusal drawings can only be seen from the sky. There are hundreds of mysterious figures scattered across the desert. The most famous are those of the astronaut (el astronauta) the hummingbird, the spider and the monkey. The picture of the astronaut above was carved on the side of a hill and is approximately 105 feet high!

Many fascinating theories have been proposed concerning the purpose of these lines. Some suggest the lines served as alien landing spots while other people believe they were made to locate underground water in the desert. One of the most famous and respected scholars who studied the lines was a German woman by the name of Maria Reiche. She believed that the lines were connected to ancient astronomy and that it may represent a diagram of the constellations. Whatever purpose the Nazca Lines served, it still continues to amaze us with its sophisticated geometrical patterns. (More Photos)

Photo: Christopher Walker

Located above the Urubamba Valley at an astounding 7,970 feet stands the ruins of Machu Picchu. It is situated high on the ridge of the Andean Mountains. It was discovered by US explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. The ancient Inca citadel features sacred temples, an astronomical observatory known as the Intihuatana Stone (Hitching Post Of The Sun), numerous canals and food storehouses. The Intihuatana Stone is the most mysterious feature at Machu Picchu. Its purpose has never been fully explained but does hint at a connection to the solar alignments for both the equinoxes and solstices. (More Photos)

Photo: Rich Child

Located in the Peruvian region of La Libertad is Chan Chan. It is the largest mud brick urban centre dating back to the pre-hispanic era. The area spans an area of 20 km and was built of adobe (sand, clay and straw materials). The Chimus people of Peru (700-1400 AD) founded their capital here. Within its walls, Chan Chan offers travellers incredible views of large plazas, temples and reservoirs. Prominent among these structures stands a great adobe pyramid 30 meters high. The pyramid is filled with rich iconography and the most famous is that of the "Beheader". (More Photos)

Photo: Rich Child

Located in southern Peru about 2 km from the city of Cuzco is the imposing Inca military fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The site consists of three rows of gigantic zig zag walls and is flanked by massive stone walls up to 300 meters long. Some stones stand more than 5 meters high and weigh over 300 tons. (More Photos)

Archaeologists maintain that the site was built and used by the ancient Inca for two reasons. The first being it served as a fortress to protect the city against tribes. The second being that it was used as a quarry to provide stones for buildings in Cuzco. Alternative historians disagree and argue that another civilization in the remote past may have been the original founders of this mysterious ancient site. The methods used to cut and move these enormous blocks still remains a mystery to this day.

Photo: Hakan Svensson (Xauxa)

Located in the Supe Valley 15 km north of modern day Lima is Caral. This ancient city is estimated to date between 3000-1500 BC. It is generally accepted amongst scholars to be the oldest known city ever found in the Americas. Covering an area of approximately 626 hectares, the site includes six large pyramidal structures, monumental stones and residential quarters for the elite. (More Photos) Caral once held as much as 3,000 inhabitants and was a thriving metropolis back in its day. The origins of the city are believed to be that of the Caral-Supe culture of South America.

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