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A Propos de Cusco Attrait Archéologique proche à la Ville |
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Saqsaywaman |
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Saqsaywaman:
The Saqsaywaman complex is a very important archaeological park located to the north of Cusco 's Plaza de Armas. Only 2 Km. (1.25 miles) from Cusco. Saqsaywaman is easily accessible by foot (30 minutes) or by car (10 minutes).
Saqsaywaman is a Quechua word that comes from the two words, saqsay which means to be "fulfilled" or "Satisfied Falcon". The Falcon was a common bird of prey in the Andes and was the symbolic protector of the first. Inka - Inka Manko Qhapaq.
Saqsaywaman is thought to have been both a military fortress and a place of workship. It reportedly required 50 years to complete construction and was built during the reign of Inca Wayna Qhapaq. There are many descriptions of the richness of the decorations here and of the high quality of the objects that were maintained in |
the stockrooms, so it was surely more than just a military fortress as some people claim.
Originally there were three walls of which only the foundations can be seen today - these are the remains of a tremendous building that once existed at Saqsaywaman. The construction of the walls is orient at east to west in front of the plain of Chukipampa (Plains to the Royal Spears). The walls are made of huge limestone rocks with impressive irregular polyhedrons fit together with perfection. The extraordinary size of the stones, one of them 8.5 meters (28 ft.) tall and weighing 140 metric tons - and the perfection of the masonry baffle the imagination and have been unanimously admired for centuries.
There are various theories regards to the tree zigzag walls. Because of their appearance it is suggested that they are the teeth of the puma's head that Saqsaywaman represented. Other theorize that the three walls represent the three levels of the Inca Spiritual World -beginning from the botton is the Ukju Pacha (underground stage), in the middle the Kay Pacha (Surface stage), and at the top the Hanan Pacha (sky stage). As well, these three levels can be identified with three animals sacred to the Incas -the Amaru or Mach'aqway (snake), the Puma, and the kuntur (Andean condor). Still others believe that the zigzag shape of the walls represent the Illapa god (thunder and lightning). Although it is not known for sure, it is possible that all these elements are embodied in the ruins of Saqsaywaman.
According to Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, on the top of the three zigzag walls there were originally three towers arranged in a triangle, of which only the foundations remain. The names of the three towers were: Muyoq Marca (circular place), Paucar Marca (precious place), and Sallaj Marka (water place).
Other interesting sections of Saqsaywaman include the Rumipunku, the entrances, the terraces and water canals, the Suchuna, the Inca Throne, the Warmi K'ajchana, the Inca Bath, the amphitheatre, the Chincanas, and the "tires stone" (according to local folklore it never arrived to the spot where it was supposed to serve).
Still other attractions that are part of the Archaeological Park of Saqsaywaman include:
Qolqanpata
Big Q'enqo and Little Q'enqo
Laqo
K'usilluchayoq
Lanlakuyoq
Puka Pukara
Tampumach'ay or Tambomachay
Llaullipata or Siete Bateas
Chakan or Chacán
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Q'enqo |
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Big Q'enqo and Little Q'enqo:
The word Q'enqo means "labyrinth" - a maze or twisted path. Q'enqo is the name of two archaeological sites close to each other that are formed from the large Yuncaypata geological limestone formation. The entire archaeological site is located over a mountain to the east of what is known as Socorro. These areas served as important sanctuaries in Incan times.
The significance of Q'enqo radiates from the top of the limestone formation where there are two carved cylindrical uprights over an egg-shaped pedestal. They are known as the Intiwatana through which the Amautas (teachers) measured time, established the seasons, the solstices and equinoxes with the aim of facilitating agriculture.
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Near the Intiwatana there is an interesting Phaqcha (fountain) consisting of a bowl and a small zigzag channel which separates and branches into two channels at its lower end. It is thought that this device was used to carry out divination rituals - in the upper cup the Incas probably poured liquids such as chicha (maize beer) or perhaps animal blood from animals sacrificed in the semi-underground chamber ("Room of Sacrifices"). The liquid flowed through the zigzag channel and then continued via one of the two branches - possibly signifying opposing meanings (positive ad negative).
The "Sacred Rock" is a 6 meter (19.7 ft) tall rock located over a solid rectangular pedestal that clearly shows it was at one time a great sculpture, probably of an Incan god. Unfortunately it was almost completely destroyed by the Spanish "Idolatries Extirpation" in which the Spanish destroyed everything opposing Christianity.
The amphitheatre occupies a large space in front and to the east of the "Sacred Rock". The amphitheatre was used to carry out different ceremonies in the presence of Incan idols and mummies that occupied the 19 trapezoidal niches that today are partially destroyed.
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Puka Pukara |
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Puka Pukara:
The Puka Pukara archaeological site is located 7 km. (4.4 mi) from Cusco on the road that leads to Pisaq and the Sacred Valley . The name Puka Pukara (Red Fortress) comes from puka meaning "red" and Pukara meaning "fortress" in the Quechua language. It occupies a very strategic space over a natural mountain spur and facilitates observation and control of the territory. Likewise, it has visual communication with Tambomachay about 1 km (0.62 mi) away, and Puka Pukara was likely a protective outpost for Tambomachay.
In the Puka Pukara complex, there are various rooms, interior squares, baths, canals, and high towers. There are also stairs, canals carved in the stone, narrow passageways, and small terraces. The buildings are constructed of small to mid-sized stones with a slightly rough surface, which is different from the other archaeological sites of the area. Because, of its layout and the existence of fountains and aqueducts and its closeness to an ancient trail. Puka Pukara was also likely a lodge offering shelter and food for Inca travellers. |
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Tambomachay |
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Tambomachay:
Tambomachay is located 8 km (5 mi) from Cusco and 1 km (0.62) from Puka Pukara, on the road leading from Cusco to Pisaq and the rest of the Sacred Valley . Its name comes from tanpu which means "lodge" and machay that means "resting place". The name is rooted in the Tawantinsuyo culture and the Quechua language and is traditionally known as the "Inka Bath" and was probably a favorite resting and hunting place of the Inkas. |
Tipón (a 23 Km):
The site lies 4 km. off the highway, much of it fairly steep climbing (allow about 1, 1 /2 hours on foot) and can be reached by car up a reasonably good dirt road.
The ruin consists of a long series of high, beautifully-constructed agricultural terraces-some of the finest in existence-running up the head of a narrow valley. Tipón may have been a site for developing special crop strains, like Moray as it seems too elaborate for routine agriculture. There are remains of some habitations, but it does not seem to have been a large population center . An aqueduct 1400m long flows down the mountain spur to the west the terraces. It passes underground beneath the ruins group known as Intiwatana.
Pikillaqta (en el Km 30):
Stands above the road to the left as you climb past the lake. This is a huge sprawling site, of interest primarily because it is the only major ruin of a pre-Inca settlement in the Cusco region. The site was built by the Wari culture, which arose near Ayacucho. North West of Cusco, and flourished dc.600-950A.D. Pikillaqta (entrance by T.T.) stands at the narrow southern approach to the Huatanay valley, and seems strategic in location. It appears powerful and menacing, with its many hectares of tall, two- and three-story buildings surrounded by an enclosing wall, much of which still stands. It is a huge site, about the size of pre-Conquest Cusco . And it lies across a rolling slope in a precisely squared-off grid as if it had been designed elsewhere and set down here with utter disregard for the landscape, in striking contrast to the harmonious integration of nature and architecture at the Inca sites.
The appearance of control over the valley was symbolic, however, because this was not a military garrison. Neither was it a city, in the ordinary sense of the word. According to U.S. archaeologist Gordon McEwan, who has excavated the site, Pikillaqta was a curious sort of ceremonial center ; local vassal lords were brought here for alliance building feasts and rituals. Pikillaqta is a puzzling site. Very few people actually lived there.
People
came here, and then left. All of its buildings were covered in white gypsum stucco, quarried in the surrounding hills, which must have made it unbearably dazzling in the Andean sunshine. Floors were also of gypsum, 5 cm. thick. Many of its rooms were windowless and literally dark, so that they were once thought to be for storage; but archaeology reveals that these enigmatic spaces were apparently designed for some other purpose. The only entrance to the entire complex was a narrow street lined with very high walls, also stuccoed, so one could see nothing of the surroundings. The effect of arriving there as a vassal of the Wari must have been profoundly intimidating. Beneath the modern town at nearby Huaro
, the remains of a major Wari center have been discovered. This settlement was probably the residential site for the people who built and maintained Pikillaqta. Some unknown violent catastrophe befell the Wari Empire, while it as still expanding. As a result the Wari deliberately and systematically Sandoned Pikillaqta sometime between 850-950 A.D. The Wari filled partially-built temples with clay, and dug up some of the offerings they had buried. Then, after they left, someone came along and torched the place. The Incas altered it-probably demolished some sections-and turned it into a great double gateway to the Cusco Valley.
Just down the hill from Rumicolca lie some stone quarries which were the source of much of the characteristic grey andesite which was used in the construction of Inca Cusco. The flat area by the Vilcanota River just beyond here, is called
Piñipampa, and is the major center of production for the terracotta roofing tiles of Cusco.
