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Two Unusual Peru Culture Tours
Of course, following the Incas, the Spanish Colonial period was responsible for changing the face of Peruvian culture yet again. Visitors to the country miss out on a large part of its history if they only focus on the Incan legacy. Chavín de Huántar One of the oldest civilizations in Peru was the Chavín, dating from around 1500 to 300 BC. The civilization gets its name from Chavín de Huántar, an ancient site in the high Andes north of Lima which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Huaraz, it takes approximately 3 hours to reach the site by car. Alternatively, one can choose to trek to the location. A great deal of study has been done on the site, showing it to be a center for ceremonial activity. At the merging of two rivers, it is believed to be the convergence of both natural and cosmic forces. Decline of the site began around the same time of the decline of the greater Chavín culture, between 500 and 300 BC. The great plaza was replaced by a small village which was occupied as late as the 1940s. The site is truly massive, including structures built at various stages in its history. The main areas of interest include the Circular Plaza, the Old Temple and the New Temple. The temples contain a number of obelisks and monuments with carvings of such forms as jaguars and caimans. It is noted that much art from this civilization depicts animals that were not native to that area. Moche The Moche culture came after that of the Chavín, from around 1 to 700 AD. One of the greatest representations of the culture is the found just east of Chiclayo, where important tombs were found in 1987. Prior to the discovery of these tombs, much less was known about this culture as those tombs found previously had been looted. The site known as the Lord of Sipán tomb was a great discovery as the principal tomb was found untouched. Within the tombs in this location were found jewelry, art and masks. The tomb of this warrior priest is believed to date to around 100 AD and he was covered in precious metals and jewels. The pieces discovered in the tombs were restored in Germany and are now on display at the Brüning Museum of Lambayeque near to the burial site. Besides these, the museum also houses pieces from other northern Peruvian cultures including ceramics and truly impressive goldwork. To learn more about the Moche civilization, it's also worth taking a trip to the sites close by Trujillo. The Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna are two Mochican pyramidal huacas used in rituals. The El Brujo complex, north of Trujillo, is another archaeological complex of note. Close to the ocean, it is believed to have had been used for ceremonies relating to the sea. New research was begun again in 1990 and it is still being investigated. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com When looking to find the best deal you need to check a www.aracari.com/”>Peru travel agent that will allow you to see a www.aracari.com/sample-itineraries.html”>tailor made Peru that will be one of your finest experiences ever. |
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