Huajramarca, also known as Huacramarka, is a significant archaeological site located in the district of Chacas, within the province of Asunción, Áncash region, Peru. Positioned on a mountain bearing the same name, this site offers a unique insight into the lives of the Huari ethnic group. The site’s geographical setting is southwest of the city of Chacas, near the town of Huallin, at an impressive altitude of 4,150 meters above sea level. The name Huajramarca derives from the Ancashino Quechua words “waqra” meaning horn, and “marka” meaning village, reflecting the site’s cultural and geographical characteristics.
Historical Places
Garagay
Garagay is an archaeological site of significant importance located in the district of San Martín de Porres, within the city of Lima, Peru. This site, dating back to approximately 1400 BC, represents a key ceremonial center from the Andean Formative era, showcasing the architectural and cultural developments of ancient societies in the region.
Fort Ancient
The Fort Ancient culture represents a significant chapter in the pre-Columbian history of North America, flourishing from approximately 1000 to 1750 AD. This culture was primarily located along the Ohio River valley, encompassing areas that today include Ohio, western West Virginia, northern Kentucky, and parts of southeastern Indiana. Despite its contemporaneity with the Mississippian culture, Fort Ancient is considered a distinct entity, often referred to as a “sister culture.” Mitochondrial DNA evidence suggests that the Fort Ancient culture did not directly descend from the preceding Hopewell Culture, marking a significant divergence in the region’s archaeological record.
Huaricanga
Huaricanga, a small town situated on the border of the departments of Áncash and Lima, 21 kilometers from the city of Paramonga, has recently come into the spotlight for its archaeological significance. This town, primarily known for its agricultural activities supported by the Fortaleza River and an irrigation canal, harbors a rich history that dates back over 5,000 years.
Coba-Yaxuna Sacbe
The Coba-Yaxuna Sacbe represents a pinnacle of ancient Maya engineering and serves as a testament to the civilization’s advanced understanding of construction and infrastructure. This sacbe, the longest known ancient raised stone road in the Maya world, extends approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) across the Yucatan Peninsula, connecting the sites of Coba and Yaxuna. Dating from the Late Classic period (600-850 AD), its construction showcases the Maya’s sophisticated approach to overcoming the geographical challenges of their environment.
Xcalumkin
Xcalumkin, a Mayan archaeological zone located 73 kilometers northeast of Campeche, Mexico, offers a unique window into the ancient Mayan civilization and its architectural prowess. The site’s name, as recorded by explorer Teobert Maler in the 1880s, translates to “double good earth exposed to the Sun,” hinting at the region’s fertile land and its significance to the Mayan people. The Chilam Balam of Chumayel, a colonial-era document, suggests that Xcalumkin, or Tixcalomkin as it is referred to in the text, held importance in Mayan oral history.