Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
night: if you can see this impressive archaeological site in the morning, chances are you'll
have it all to yourself.
Sights & Activities
CHAVÍN DE HUÁNTAR
(adult/student S10/5; 9am-5pm Tue-Sun)
This stupendous complex - a series of large temple
structures with labyrinthine underground passageways - was one of many relatively inde-
pendent ceremonial centers for 700 years starting in 1000 BC. Although squatters built on
top of the ruins or carried away stone works, and a huge landslide covered part of the area
in 1945, this site is still intact enough to provide a full-bodied glimpse into one of Peru's
oldest societies.
At the heart of the complex is a massive sunken
square
, with an intricate and well-en-
gineered system of channels for drainage. From here, a broad staircase leads up to the
most important building, the
Castillo
. Built on three different levels, the walls here were
at one time embellished with
tenons
(keystones of large projecting blocks carved to re-
semble human heads with animal traits or perhaps hallucinogen-induced characteristics).
A series of
tunnels
underneath this structure comprise a maze of complex alleys and
chambers. At the heart of this is an exquisitely carved (somewhat terrifying) 4.5m rock of
white granite known as the
Lanzón de Chavín
, which represents a person with snakes
radiating from the head.
Several construction quirks, such as the strange positioning of water channels and the
use of highly polished minerals to reflect light, led Stanford archaeologists to believe that
the complex was used as an instrument of shock and awe. Here, priests could manipulate
light and sound, blowing on strombus trumpets and amplifying the rush of running water
in the channels. The disoriented were probably given hallucinogens before entering the
darkened maze. These tactics endowed religious leaders with an awe-inspiring power.
To get the most from your visit, it's worth hiring a guide to show you around (S30) or
go on a guided day trip from Huaraz.
| Archaeological Site
The Art of Chavín
Named after the archeological site at Chavín de Huántar, the era known simply as Chavín (1000 BC to 300 BC) is
considered a major turning point in the development of art and culture in Peru. Though not necessarily a full-blown
