Cerro Pátapo ruins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Northern Wari ruins
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Ruins
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 Cerro Pátapo ruins
Location in Peru
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| Country |  Peru |
| Region | Lambayeque Region |
| Province | Chiclayo Province |
| Government | |
| • Type | None |
| Population | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
The Cerro Pátapo ruins are also known as the Northern Wari ruins. They are the remains of an ancient city from a time before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. These ruins are located near the modern city of Chiclayo, Peru.
The ruins mainly belong to the Wari culture. This culture was very important from about 350 CE to 1000 CE. They lived along the coast and in the highlands of Peru. These northern Wari ruins are different from other Wari sites found further south in the Ayacucho Region.
Archeologist Cesar Soriano announced the discovery on December 16, 2008. This find was very exciting! It was the first time evidence of the Wari culture was found so far north in Peru. The size and quality of the ruins show that this was a very important Wari city. The site is about 14 miles (22 km) from Chiclayo and covers an area of 3 miles (5 km).
The Wari civilization was powerful in south-central Peru between the 7th and 12th centuries (600 to 1100 CE). They built a large network of roads. Their territory was very big. Experts believe the Wari were an empire because of their amazing architecture, monuments, and road-building skills.
Contents
Discovering the Ancient Wari City
This ancient city was part of the Wari Empire. The Wari Empire ruled parts of the Andes mountains, mostly in south-central Peru. This happened between the 7th and 12th centuries CE. The dry desert climate has helped keep the site very well preserved.
What Was Found at Cerro Pátapo?
Among the things found at the ruins are pieces of pottery. Archeologists also found evidence of special spots used for ancient ceremonies. A well-preserved body of a young woman was also discovered.
These ruins are helping experts learn more about ancient South America. The Wari culture was very important during this time. Before the Wari, the Moche culture was powerful. The Moche began around 100 AD and ended around 600 AD. The Wari culture then became dominant.
Other Wari Discoveries
In August 2008, archeologists found a mummy at the Huaca Pucllana ruins in Lima. Lima is about 500 miles (800 km) south of Chiclayo. This mummy is also thought to be from the Wari culture. Finding a Wari mummy there was more expected, as it was within the known Wari territory.
See also
In Spanish: Cerro Pátapo para niños
