Pachacamac is known for being the
most important temple of the Andean coast for more than 1,500 years. Today we
visited the Monumento arquelogico y Museo de Sitio Pachacamac. This site
contained several temples and pyramids dating from 600 A.D. to 1533 A.D. We
specifically observed the geometric style of the Incas, which are known for their trapezoidal shapes in their doorways and windows. This distinctive Inca architecture can be
identified in this particular building, the Mamacona. This building was built
by the Inca women dedicated to the cult of the sun god.
We also observed that these niches were isoscles,
having two vertical sides of equal length. Other characteristics we observed from the Incas were rectangular and square buildings, composed of bricks. The bricks
seemed to be built in layers, with a bottom layer of irregular stones and a top
layer of rectangular bricks. Several others of these buildings included the
overlaying bricks which were the Palace of Tauri Champi and the Pyramid with
Ramp No. 1. The Pyramid with Ramp No. 1 contained ramps, overlaying platforms
and a central ramp. This site seemed to have relative reflectional
symmetry about a vertical line of reflection.
Layering of bricks
We also made note of the Inca asthetic
of their huge walls. The projection of their distinct walls and corners
symbolized power and force. The Temple of the Sun, which was also from the Inca
period included a trapezoidal building made of platforms of adobe. The walls along this building sloped up on a diagonal pattern.
The Temple of the Sun
All of these buildings have a specific alignment with the sun. The Plaza of the Pilgrims, which was composed of two rows of adobe columns running down the center, were approximately aligned at 57 degrees NE, which is oriented with the sun rise in the East. The Museo de Sitio Pachacamac
also contained different textiles and quipus that were used by the inhabitants
of this area.
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