Yanaca, Archaeological site in Yanaca District, Peru.
Yanaca is an archaeological site in the Andes at about 3500 meters in elevation, with stone structures, farming terraces, and water systems built by earlier cultures. The site contains several areas that show how people lived and worked in this mountain region.
The Wari culture built the site between 700 and 900 AD as an administrative center in this mountain region. Later, the Inca Empire took over the site and made changes to it until 1532.
The remains show how earlier peoples used mountain slopes to grow crops and manage water for farming. Visitors can still see today how the terraces were built into the hillsides.
Visitors should know that the site is at high altitude and the climate can be cool and windy there. It is wise to wear sturdy shoes and prepare for conditions in this mountain region.
A nearby mountain called Condorccarcca served both as a ceremonial place and for tracking the sky and seasons. This double purpose shows how earlier cultures connected spiritual beliefs with practical knowledge about nature.
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