Garagay, Pre-Columbian ceremonial center in San Martín de Porres District, Peru
Garagay is an archaeological complex in San Martín de Porres featuring three stepped pyramids arranged in a U-shape, with the central structure showing substantial proportions at its base. The layout reveals how people organized space here, with the buildings still clearly visible today.
This center was built around 1400 BCE during the Formative Period and remained in use until around 600 BCE, undergoing several rebuildings over time. The long span of occupation shows that the site held importance for local communities across many generations.
The temple displays colorful friezes showing feline gods that represent how people here practiced their faith through art. Visitors can still see these images on the walls today, offering a direct view into the spiritual beliefs of the time.
The site is open daily and welcomes visitors to explore the ruins at their own pace, with guided tours available for those wanting more context. It helps to wear comfortable shoes and watch for uneven ground and exposed structures as you walk through the complex.
In 2017, archaeologists uncovered a perfectly preserved clay relief of a jaguar god in the main pyramid's atrium. This rare surviving artwork gives a direct look at the artistic craftsmanship and religious practices of the early Chavin culture.
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