WiƱay Wayna, meaning “Forever Young” in Quechua, is an ancient Inca site in Peru. It sits dramatically on a steep hillside, overlooking the Urubamba River. This archaeological wonder is part of the Inca Trail, a route leading to the famous Machu Picchu. WiƱay Wayna showcases the Inca’s masterful terrace architecture, used for agriculture. It also features a complex of baths, suggesting its role in ritual cleansing. The site’s remote location and relative inaccessibility have helped preserve its structures and natural beauty.
The Inca Empire
Incan Historical Sites and Ruins
Incan Mythology
| Viracocha: The Inca Creator God |
| Inti: The Inca sun god |
| Illapa: The Inca God of Thunder |
Inca Artifacts
| Incan Quipu |
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Sapa Inca Royal Mummies
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| Tumi |
| Kero |
Historical Figures
| Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui |
| TĆŗpac Inca Yupanqui |
| Huayna Capac |
| Atahualpa |
| Manco Inca Yupanqui |
Runkuraqay
Runkuraqay is an archaeological site located in Peru, along the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu. It is often referred to as the “Egg-shaped” structure due to its distinctive, rounded design. This site, nestled in the Andean mountains, is believed to have served as a “tambo,” or resting and lodging place, for Incan travelers. The exact purpose of Runkuraqay and the full extent of its historical significance remain topics of research and debate among historians and archaeologists.
Sayacmarca
Sayacmarca is an intriguing archaeological site perched on a rocky promontory in Peru. It’s part of the Inca Trail, the network leading to the famous Machu Picchu. The name Sayacmarca means ‘Inaccessible Town’ in Quechua, reflecting its strategic location. This ancient site offers a glimpse into Incan architecture and urban planning. Its complex structures and terraces blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, showcasing the Inca’s engineering prowess.
Patallacta
Patallacta, also known as Llaqtapata, is a significant archaeological site located in the Cusco Region of Peru. Nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it lies on the ancient Inca trail leading to the iconic Machu Picchu. This site is believed to have been a thriving settlement and an administrative and ceremonial center. Its…
Tarahuasi
Tarahuasi, also known as Tarawasi, is an archaeological site located in the Cusco Region of Peru. It is believed to have been a ceremonial center or waystation used by the Incas. The site features a central ushnu, a platform used for ceremonial purposes, and is characterized by its Inca masonry, which includes polygonal stones meticulously fitted together. Tarahuasi is a testament to the Inca’s architectural prowess and their strategic placement of important sites along the Qhapaq Ćan, the vast network of roads that traversed their empire.
Mawk’allaqta, Espinar
Mawk’allaqta is a pre-Columbian archaeological site located in the Espinar Province of Peru. It stands as a testament to the Inca civilization’s architectural prowess and strategic urban planning. The site, which translates to “ancient place” in Quechua, offers a glimpse into the Inca’s complex society and their connection to the natural world. Mawk’allaqta’s structures and artifacts continue to intrigue historians and archaeologists, providing valuable insights into the Inca’s cultural practices and their expansion across the Andean region.