| |
The
unique remains of the intricate past of an entire nation,
the archaeological site of Chavin de Huantar is a symbol of
Peru's ancient northern cultures. At 3,185 meters above sea
level and just three hours from the city of Huaraz, the magical
and religious center of Chavin was built in around 327 BC.
Its walls are made of stone, while its structures are shaped
like pyramids, which has sparked a great deal of controversy
over what was the purpose of the complex, whether a temple
or a fortress. The local inhabitants call the site "el
castillo" (the castle). The construction features a labyrinthine
network of passageways and tunnels lit by strategically-placed
skylights. Inside the temple still stands the Lanzón,
the 5-meter-high monolith carved into ferocious deities and
figures of monstrous beasts. There are also a set of gargoyle
heads which once decorated the outer walls of the complex.
Chavin was one of the earliest civilizations in the Americas,
contemporary to the Olmecas in Mexico. The culture achieved
a remarkable level of skills in agriculture, architecture
and pottery, in addition to their administrative capacity.
This enabled them to dominate much of the north and central
parts of Peru. This is possibly what made Chavin de Huántar
so important: its strategic location as a link between the
coast, highlands and jungle. The ruins, discovered in 1919
by Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello, are a crucial part
of Peru's history.
|
|
