Wichqana, Archaeological site in Ayacucho, Peru.
Wichqana is an archaeological site on the western slope of Uma Urqu mountain in the Ayacucho region. It contains stone structures, ceremonial areas, and ancient agricultural terraces arranged across multiple levels of the slope.
The site functioned as a ceremonial center from 1200 to 800 BC during the Kishka Pata Period and displays architectural similarities with other early Andean complexes. The construction methods and layout show how ideas were shared between neighboring regions during that era.
The site shows signs of ritual practices through the careful arrangement of stones at sacred locations on the mountainside. These patterns reveal how people here expressed their spiritual beliefs and organized their community life.
Access is through local roads connected to the main highways in Ayacucho, with experienced guides available to explain the site. Visitors should wear good hiking shoes and prepare for the thin mountain air at this elevation.
The early inhabitants cultivated mountain crops like potatoes, ocas, and maca in harsh conditions while also raising herds of llamas and alpacas. This combination of farming and herding reveals how they adapted to the high elevation and used resources wisely.
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