Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(163,671 posts)
1. Stumbled across another Peruvian mountain side community I've never encountered:
Wed Oct 24, 2018, 01:15 AM
Oct 2018
















So easy to see the difference in the construction by the early builders, as they clearly had knowledge which had disappeared by the time late arrivals attempted to build their own structures in the same place, or to duplicate existing buildings. No comparison what so ever. The earlier ones were absolutely built to last!

~ ~ ~

Wikipedia:

Písac

Písac or Pisac (possibly from Quechua for Nothoprocta, also spelled p'isaqa)[1] is a Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is situated on the Vilcanota River. Pisac is most known for its Incan ruins and large market every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, an event which attracts heavy tourist traffic from nearby Cusco.

Notable Features
Pisac is perhaps best known for its Incan ruins, known as Inca Písac, which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. The ruins are separated along the ridge into four groups: P'isaqa, Inti Watana, Qalla Q'asa, and Kinchiraqay.[3] Inti Watana group includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana, a volcanic outcrop carved into a "hitching post for the Sun" (or Inti). The angles of its base suggest that it served to define the changes of the seasons.[4] Qalla Q'asa, which is built onto a natural spur and overlooks the valley, is known as the citadel.[5]

The Inca constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside, which are still in use today. They created the terraces by hauling richer topsoil by hand from the lower lands. The terraces enabled the production of surplus food, more than would normally be possible at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet.[6]

With military, religious, and agricultural structures, the site served at least a triple purpose. Researchers believe that Písac defended the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley, while Choquequirao defended the western entrance, and the fortress at Ollantaytambo the northern. Inca Pisac controlled a route which connected the Inca Empire with the border of the rain forest.

The sanctuary of Huanca, site of a sacred shrine, is also near the village. Pilgrims travel to the shrine every September.

One of its more notable features was a large pisonay tree, which dominated the central plaza (it was destroyed by a 2013 thunderstorm).[2]

More:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%ADsac

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Anthropology»Peruvian archeologists di...»Reply #1