Wari

About

Covering 400 hectares, the Wari Archeological Site is one of the largest ancient Peruvian urban centers, having been home to an estimated 40,000 inhabitants at its peak. The capital of the first Pan-Andean state, Wari was strategically located between the coast and inland jungle, with roads connecting it to the northern and southern mountain ranges, and it had trade ties as far reaching as the Tiawanaku culture in the Lake Titicaca basin 1500 kilometers away. The urban center is divided into distinctive neighborhoods, which ranged from ceremonial centers to residential areas to a jeweler district. The most unique area is likely the underground galleries of the Monqachayoc district, which include tombs, mausoleums, and an advanced water transport system. Since much of the site is only partially excavated and restored, it’s worth visiting the museum first to.get some context, especially if you’re not taking a guided tour.