Rumicolca, Pre-Columbian archaeological site in Lucre District, Peru
Rumicolca is an archaeological site in the Peruvian highlands featuring stone structures built across two different periods in history. The walls and platforms show careful construction techniques and sit on the mountainside at around 3,200 meters elevation.
The site was first built by the Wari civilization around 600 AD and later modified by the Inca Empire. These two construction phases show how different peoples used and changed the location over many centuries.
The name Rumicolca comes from Quechua words meaning stone and storage structure, reflecting what people built here and how they used the space. You can see this connection in the way the stone buildings are arranged across the landscape.
You can reach the site by traveling east from Lake Huacarpay on the main road connecting Cusco to Puno. Visit during daytime and bring suitable mountain gear, as the high elevation and terrain can be demanding.
The site served as both an aqueduct system bringing water to Pikillaqta and a checkpoint for people traveling between different regions. This dual purpose made it a vital hub for water management and regional trade.
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