Choquequilla, Pre-Inca archaeological site in Sacred Valley, Peru.
Choquequilla is an archaeological site in the Sacred Valley with a cave structure whose walls show precise geometric cuts and an inverted V-shaped ceiling. The structure is made of bluestone with crystalline properties that contrast sharply with the surrounding sandstone formations.
The site was built before the Inca civilization and was modified during the Inca period. Spanish colonization in the 16th century caused partial destruction that remains visible today.
The name comes from Quechua and means 'ancient', a term the local population used to recognize its age before the Inca arrived. Today you can observe how the structure sits in the landscape and how local people relate to it.
The site is located between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba and is reached by public transportation to Pachar followed by about a 45-minute walk. The path is relatively straightforward but sturdy shoes are needed for uneven ground.
The cave ceiling is precisely aligned with astronomical points in the sky, suggesting a deep understanding of celestial movements by those who built it. This feature is rarely found in other structures across the region.
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