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In
ancient Peru, a huaca was the term granted to a river, a tree
or a mountain attributed with magical powers if the spot was
inhabited by a deity or an ancestor; along the coast the term
was given to stepped pyramid-shaped temples.
In Lima, the process of urbanization, thanks to the efforts
of archaeologists and crusades launched by residents, has
left untouched dozens of ancient temples, archaeological sites
which stand out against the bustling metropolis.
In the heart of the leafy district of San Isidro stands the
Huallamarca complex. In the ancient Quechua language, hualla
means uneven, and marca means town. The name stems from the
fact that the early remains of the structure showed remains
of spiral ramps. In 1999, archaeologists found clay goblets
dating back to Inca times. The fact they were buried there
possibly points to the presence of the tomb of an important
figure from the era.
What links the most important temples in Lima is the fact
young archaeologists continue to work on them and integrate
them into the community. One example is the Huaca Pucllana
in the Miraflores neighborhood, today a historical and cultural
park.
The complex was a ceremonial and administrative center run
by the Lima culture (400 AD), which controlled the Lima Valley.
There is evidence of religious ceremonies, rites and sacrifices
in honor of their deities, and possibly this was where the
high priests lived. The Pucllana Historical Park features
an on-site museum and areas of research, conservation and
restoration, as well as cultural promotion. The museum is
working to integrate the site into the community starting
with schoolchildren, in a bid to create an awareness of the
importance of Peru's archaeological and natural heritage.
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