Saturday, November 22, 2014

The Inca site of Aypate


The Inca site of Aypate is located in the Northwestern Andean Range of Peru, in the region of Piura, its stone structures spread out in an area about two square kilometers at the top of a mountain with the same name, at 2916 m.a.s.l. A path between stone walls leads to the entrance. And then, in its way up to the structures at the top of the mountain, it connects with a large plaza that gives access to other sections of the site. This path continues out of the site toward a hill called, Granadillo, six kilometers away. The Granadillo hill has a few archaeological ruins as well, which are located on its side and at the top.

Among the structures found in Aypate, there are rooms and viewpoints that may have been used by guards in order to check out the valley. A stepped pyramid with a rectangular base and three platforms is located nearby the fortress wall, and it has a ramp that leads to the top where an 85-centimeter well sits at the middle. The surrounding hills show remnants of agricultural platforms, which imply the need to feed a big population at the time when Aypate was inhabited.   

Authorities of the region had worked on the recovery and maintenance of Aypate until 2010. Currently, they are in search of more funding in order to finish their work. In the meantime, the cultural authorities in Piura have been offered help from the Fundación Española de Educación y Desarrollo, the Spanish students from archaeology faculties of Spain, and the students from the Universidad de Piura, to work on the maintenance of the site as volunteers.

http://elcomercio.pe/peru/757716/noticia-cronica-fotos-palacio-camino-cusco-quito

 
 

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