Mameria, Archaeological site in Madre de Dios, Peru.
Mameria is an archaeological site in the high-altitude jungle northeast of the Paucartambo mountain range in southeastern Peru, containing scattered stone structures. These pre-Columbian ruins reveal the remains of Incan buildings spread across the remote terrain.
These structures originated during Incan rule and functioned as coca plantations supplying highland communities before Spanish conquest. The site was abandoned following colonial reorganization of economic activities in the region.
The name Mameria comes from the Machiguenga people who settled here starting in the 1960s, using a word meaning 'there are none' in their language. The local community now shares the landscape with these ancient structures and participates in efforts to document them.
Visiting requires careful planning since the location sits in remote jungle at high elevation with minimal established infrastructure. Hire experienced guides and bring appropriate gear to handle the access challenges and difficult terrain.
French-Peruvian explorers conducted the first documented helicopter expedition to the site in 1980, generating scientific interest. This early exploration brought the location to the attention of a wider research community.
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