Qulu Qulu, Pre-Hispanic burial site in Patambuco District, Peru.
Qulu Qulu is an archaeological site in the Andean highlands with approximately 100 stone burial chambers called chullpas scattered across the landscape. These structures stand at elevations around 3000 meters and functioned as tombs for local populations in pre-Hispanic times.
The chullpas were constructed after the collapse of the Tiwanaku culture around 1300 CE, before Inca conquest of the region. The site marks a transitional period when independent kingdoms controlled the area.
The site sits at high elevation, so visitors should prepare for thinner air and bring plenty of water. The walk from the nearest village is straightforward and takes less than an hour for someone with average fitness.
The chullpas reflect distinctive building styles linked to the Lupaca culture, a population group with their own funeral customs specific to this highland region. Archaeological findings at the site document burial practices that set this group apart from other contemporary cultures.
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