Rumiwasi, Archaeological site in San Sebastian District, Cusco Region, Peru

Rumiwasi is an archaeological site north of San Sebastian's central square featuring stone structures from pre-Columbian civilizations of the Peruvian highlands. The ruins reveal construction techniques and architectural forms typical of ancient Andean communities.

Rumiwasi, also called Phaqchayuq, lies in San Sebastián District, Cusco Province, north of the district's central square. The sources record it as an archaeological site of the Cusco Region; its Quechua name, "stone house", and its alternative name, "the one with a waterfall", are the documented facts about the place.

Rumiwasi means "stone house" in Quechua, from rumi (stone) and wasi (house); the site is also known as Phaqchayuq, from phaqcha (waterfall) with the suffix -yuq, "the one with a waterfall". The two names record what Quechua speakers saw here: stone construction and a waterfall.

The site is generally open to visitors but is still undergoing active archaeological work, so conditions can change. It is wise to check with local authorities or guides before visiting to learn about current access and any restrictions.

The site occupies a location that was strategically important for ancient trade and farming, showing how the inhabitants chose where to settle based on the landscape around them. This choice reveals how well the ancient Andean peoples understood their mountain environment.