Tunanmarka, Archaeological site in Tunan Marca District, Peru.
Tunanmarka is an archaeological complex in the Mantaro Valley region with multiple stone structures arranged in circular patterns across the elevated terrain. The buildings were constructed by stacking stones, and together they form nested settlement levels that rise up the mountainside.
University of California research in the 1970s determined the site dates back to 600-500 BC. This made it an important record of early civilizations in the Andean region.
The name Tunanmarca comes from Quechua words: Tunan refers to a high location and Marca means settlement. The two terms describe how local people understood and named this place on the mountainside.
Access is daily and takes about two hours by car from Huancayo, with no entry fee required. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water since the elevation is significant and the approach involves walking over rising terrain.
In 2013 Peru's Central Reserve Bank featured the archaeological site on a commemorative coin as part of their national heritage series. This honor reflects how important this location is to preserving the nation's historical memory.
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