First published: 06/08/19.

Clyde

Pachacamac

Pachacamac (Removed from tentative list)

Pachacamac by Clyde

I visited this tentative WHS in June 2019 as a half day trip from Lima. Although the museum isn't large, it has an interesting collection of artefacts, statues and pottery found in the archaeological complex of Pachacamac and it gives you a good overall picture of the ruins. The complex itself is in ruins and at times it can be very hard to tell the mounds and 'adobe pyramid structures' from the sand dunes. The location between sea and desert and overall structure is pretty similar to that of the minor sites around Caral Supe though its state of conservation and overall structure are inferior.

Apart from the Calle Norte-Sur which leads to already inscribed Qhapac Nan location, allow a good 2-3 hours if you want to cover the whole archaeological complex. The structures worth visiting, even if only from the outside (of what's left anyway), are the three pyramids with ramps, the Palacio Taurichumpi, the stone canals covered with slabs, the remains of different walls surrounding the complex, the Acllawasi and last but certainly not least the Templo del Sol which was once covered by a layer of red plaster (still visible but full of graffiti).

The only highlight worth mentioning were the 5 different types of construction from different cultures which made use of the Pachacamac archaeological complex or sanctuary, namely the Adobes Ychma, the Cimientos Lima, the Cimientos Ychma, the Incan Architecture (similar to the foundations and walls in Cusco and elsewhere), and the Adobitos Lima. These can be easily spotted while visiting the different structures of Pachacamac. Nonetheless, these were a far cry from anything unique or possessing OUV so I don't believe this complex should be inscribed (yet again!) on the WH list.

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