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'''Pukara''' ([[Aymara language|Aymara]] and [[Quechua language|Quechua]] for [[Pukara|fortress]], Hispanicized spellings ''Pucara, Pucará'', also ''Pukará'') is an archaeological site in the far southern highlands of [[Peru]], dating as early as 1,800 BC. The site has given its name to what some archaeologists refer to as a distinct 'Pukara culture'. It is located to the north-west of [[Lake Titicaca]] in the [[Puno Region]], [[Lampa Province]], [[Pucará District, Lampa|Pucará District]], in the west of the village of the same name.<ref name=mincetur>[http://www.mincetur.gob.pe/TURISMO/OTROS/inventario%20turistico/Ficha.asp?cod_Ficha=460 mincetur.gob.pe] "Complejo arqueológico de Pukara", retrieved on January 27, 2014</ref> The site was declared a National Cultural Heritage ''(Patrimonio Cultural)'' of Peru by the [[National Institute of Culture]].<ref name=mincetur/> The site is very large, spread in the area of ​​approximately 4.2 km2. This was the first large urban center in the region.
'''Pukara''' ([[Aymara language|Aymara]] and [[Quechua language|Quechua]] for [[Pukara|fortress]], Hispanicized spellings ''Pucara, Pucará'', also ''Pukará'') is an archaeological site in the far southern highlands of [[Peru]], dating as early as 1,800 BC. The site has given its name to what some archaeologists refer to as a distinct 'Pukara culture'. It is located to the north-west of [[Lake Titicaca]] in the [[Puno Region]], [[Lampa Province]], [[Pucará District, Lampa|Pucará District]], in the west of the village of the same name.<ref name=mincetur>[http://www.mincetur.gob.pe/TURISMO/OTROS/inventario%20turistico/Ficha.asp?cod_Ficha=460 mincetur.gob.pe] "Complejo arqueológico de Pukara", retrieved on January 27, 2014</ref> The site was declared a National Cultural Heritage ''(Patrimonio Cultural)'' of Peru by the [[National Institute of Culture]].<ref name=mincetur/> The site is very large, spread in the area of approximately 4.2 km2. This was the first large urban center in the region.


==Administrative and religious center==
==Administrative and religious center==

Revision as of 03:13, 7 October 2016

Pukara
Iglesia de Santa Isabel de Pucará, Perú
LocationPeru, Puno Region
RegionAndes

Pukara (Aymara and Quechua for fortress, Hispanicized spellings Pucara, Pucará, also Pukará) is an archaeological site in the far southern highlands of Peru, dating as early as 1,800 BC. The site has given its name to what some archaeologists refer to as a distinct 'Pukara culture'. It is located to the north-west of Lake Titicaca in the Puno Region, Lampa Province, Pucará District, in the west of the village of the same name.[1] The site was declared a National Cultural Heritage (Patrimonio Cultural) of Peru by the National Institute of Culture.[1] The site is very large, spread in the area of approximately 4.2 km2. This was the first large urban center in the region.

Administrative and religious center

This was an important highland administrative and religious center.[2] There was a ceremonial sector and the urban sector or city. The ceremonial sector is composed of 9 pyramids of various shapes and sizes, the most important being the pyramid 'Kalasaya'. This structure is built of large monoliths of finely crafted stone, and includes some sculptures. In front of the pyramid, there is a staircase to the upper temple decorated with stelae. There are also figures of mythological beings of men and animals, such as frogs, snakes, fish, and pumas.[3]

There was also a large sunken central court containing carved stone steles.[4]

Pukara culture

This was an influential culture north of Lake Titicaca, centred at Pukara. This culture incorporated earlier communities of the Chiripa period, and ultimately dominated the entire lake region by 200 BC.

The Pukara engaged in agriculture, herding and fishing. The population lived in small towns and villages, which was ruled from central location.[5]

Pukara ceramics are painted in various colours. They are finely made, and include many non-utilitarian forms, such as human and animal motifs.

Pukara pottery and textiles are found widely in the middle Andean, and the coastal Pacific valleys, reaching out into Peru and Chile.[6]

The rise of Tiwanaku may have contributed to the weakening of Pukara around 200 AD.

References