Most people know something about the Incas, but there were so many other groups of people that inhabited Peru. We took a trip to Pachacamac today. It's an archeological site about an hour from Miraflores. It was built around 800 CE by the Lima society. It was then inhabited by the Huari people, then the Ichma and finally the Incas.
The site was dedicated to the god Pachacama who was worshipped by the first three societies to populate the area. There were several pyramids and other buildings on the site. Only the elite members of society actually lived on the site. The rest of the people lived in the outskirts of the ruins, but now there are houses and businesses built on that area. The Pachacama temple was very beautiful even 1200 years later. The outside was painted yellow and red and entering the temple was tricky. You had to fast for an entire year before you were allowed in. Fasting in the Ichman society meant no chili pepper or salt on food and abstaining from sex.
When the Incas took over, they still let the Ichma people worship Pachaca, but they created a much more elaborate temple for their god (the Sun god), so everyone would know he was more powerful. The Sun god temple was on top of the hill and was a very grand six floor building. The Incans did sacrifice humans to their god while Pachacama only asked for animal sacrifices.
Entonces...
We go to Ica this weekend, which is another state in Peru. I'm so excited for that trip! (Although we do leave at 6 tomorrow morning...) Next post won't be till Sunday or Monday.
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