Pre Inca Pyramids in Lima

On our final day we visited two great archaeological sites in Lima. Our first was an easy walk from our hotel to the Huaca Huallamarca. We were greeted at the entrance by the hairless Peruvian dog.
The museum had an interesting display dating from the Lima people from 200BC to 200AD along with the other periods.

A female Mummy dating from about 1200 AD. There were 4 children also found along with pots, textiles and other items.

                                                  Mummy and headdress from 1300 AD

                                                         Mask used in burial rituals

The Funerary bundle. These had a false head, a wooden nose, a red face, hair of vegetable fibre and  cotton fibre for clothes. The outer layer has been replaced. Dates from 1200 AD.

As we walked up the ramp from the museum to the actual site we were greeted by Hugo. Just a few hairs on his head! The site had great objects in place rather than all off at a distant museum. There was a ticket seller, two armed guards, a gardener, a toilet attendant, the dog and the two of us!

                                                          Funerary bundle in situ.

                                              A wonderful archaeological site.

                                                                    Like a family plot!

                                                  Juxtaposition of the old and new Lima.

                            Gail at the pyramid. It is made of mud bricks and dates from 200 BC.

                                                     An overview of Huallamarca.

The pyramid was in use for a range of purposes. Originally religious but later as a cemetery and for use as housing and administration
The periods covered were the Lima people from about 200 BC to 200 AD , the Wari from about 500 AD to 900 AD, the Senorio Yshmay from 900 t0 1470 and finally the Inca from 1470 to 1532. It must have been just too large for the Spanish to build a church over it!

We walked through the parks and then went by taxi to Huaca Pacllana another Pre Columbian pyramid.
The scale of this was immense. You can only visit with a guide as restoration work is underway.

                                          It has been eroded over time but is still imposing.

                       They used figures to demonstrate aspects of the site. Man making bricks.

                                              The tour took us to the top of the complex.

                                   Figures making offerings.These are from Yshmay people.

                                                  Yshmay figure from attached museum.

                                                             Object from Lima period.

There was a restaurant on site but we went to the one outside that was half the price and still had a great view.