Huaca de Chena, Archaeological site in San Bernardo, Chile
Huaca de Chena is a fortified complex on Chena Mountain consisting of nine enclosures surrounded by two stone walls at different elevation levels. The structure displays characteristic Inka construction techniques and careful spatial planning across the hillside.
The complex was built during Inka expansion in the 15th century and marks the southernmost frontier of the Inka Empire in South America. Its strategic location shows how the Inka extended their territory southward.
The layout mirrors the shape of a puma, showing how the Inka incorporated animal forms into their construction. Visitors can still see this symbolic arrangement reflected in the stone structures today.
The site opens for guided tours where visitors can examine the stone structures and learn about Inka construction methods. Visiting the mountainside location requires some walking endurance, as the site sits on a slope.
Research suggests the site functioned as an astronomical observatory, with structures aligned to track solstices and equinoxes. This alignment helped the Inka plan their agricultural cycles.
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