Inca complex at Písac facts for kids
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Pisaq
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 Location in Peru
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| Location | Cusco Region, Peru |
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| Coordinates | 13°24′47″S 71°50′37″W / 13.41306°S 71.84361°W |
| Type | Fortification |
| Area | 65.5 hectares |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 1450 |
| Cultures | Inca |
| Designation | El Parque Arqueológico de Pisaq (Pisac National Archeological Park) |
Písac is a large ancient site built by the Incas in Peru. It sits high on a mountain ridge above the modern town of Pisac in the Sacred Valley. This amazing complex includes farm terraces, homes, guard posts, watchtowers, and a special religious center.
In 1983, the Pisac National Archeological Park was created. This park helps protect these important Inca ruins for everyone to see and learn from.
Contents
History of Písac
People have lived in the Písac area for a very long time. Old pottery found here shows that communities were present even before the Incas.
An early village likely existed on the hillside. These early people grew crops on terraces and in the flat river areas. Later, as dangers from other tribes lessened, villagers moved closer to the main roads.
When Was Písac Built?
No one knows exactly when the Písac complex was built. However, most experts agree that the Inca parts were built by the great Inca Emperor Pachacuti. This happened around the 1440s, during his rule from 1438 to 1472.
What Was Písac Used For?
Even though many buildings are still in great shape, we don't know for sure what Písac's main purpose was. Some researchers believe it helped protect the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley. It also controlled a route that connected the Inca Empire to the rainforest. This helped protect the Inca capital, Cusco, from attacks by fierce groups called the Antis.
Písac was definitely an important place for watching the stars and for religious ceremonies. It was built like a strong fortress, but the Incas never used it to defend against the Spanish. When Manco Inca fought the Spanish in 1534, he chose to fight farther away at Ollantaytambo. This suggests Písac was too close to Cusco for a major defense.
Today, many experts, like Kim MacQuarrie, think Emperor Pachacuti built Písac for several reasons. It was likely a home for his family, a private royal getaway, and a place for religious events. It also served as a safe spot in times of danger and celebrated his victories over the Cuyos people. Pachacuti also built other royal estates like Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Písac in Modern Times
It's interesting that Spanish writers from the past didn't mention this large Inca site, even though it was close to Cusco. The modern town of Písac was built in the valley below the ruins in the 1570s.
The first detailed modern description of Písac came from Ephraim George Squier. He was a US official who visited Peru in the late 1800s. He wrote about the Inca ruins in his 1877 book, Peru - Incidents of Travel and Exploration in the Land of the Incas. His book helped many English-speaking people learn about Písac. Another explorer, Charles Wiener, also visited Písac and wrote about it in 1880.
Sadly, in 2016, a 10-year-old girl was killed by a rockfall at the site. Heavy rains and strong sun may have loosened the rocks. This led to the park being closed for repairs until September 2016.
Each year on August 24, celebrations are held at the complex to honor Willka Raymi.
Protecting the Archaeological Park
Písac was first protected by law in 1983. This law declared several archaeological parks, including Písac, as part of Peru's cultural heritage. The Písac archaeological park now covers a huge area of 9,063 hectares (about 22,395 acres).
Exploring Písac
The Inca complex at Písac is located at the entrance to the Sacred Valley. It stretches for about one kilometer along a mountain ridge. The site sits between 3,446 and 3,514 meters (11,306 and 11,529 feet) above sea level.
The complex is divided into seven main areas. These areas are separated by natural land but are connected by narrow paths. Some paths even go through tunnels with running water! Most of the original Inca names for these areas are lost. The names we use today were given by tradition, historians, and archaeologists.
Main Areas of Písac
- Qantus Raqay: This is often the first area visitors reach. It's a residential area with rough stone buildings. It might have been home to soldiers or villagers during wartime.
- Qallaq'asa: This residential area sits on a steep hillside. Its buildings are made of rough stones and mud, suggesting lower-status workers lived here.
- Intiwatana: This is the most important ceremonial and religious area. It has amazing views and features a special carved rock called an Intiwatana. This rock was used as an astronomical observatory to track the sun's movements. It helped the Incas know when important farming seasons would begin. The Spanish damaged this rock, and today, this section is closed to the public due to past vandalism.
- P'isaqa: Located below the Intiwatana, this residential area has about 30 buildings. The stonework here is finer, suggesting it was home to important people or the elite.
- Hospitalniyoc: This area has six large storehouses called qullqas. These buildings were used to store food like grain and potatoes. They were built in cool, well-ventilated spots to keep food fresh for a long time.
- Coriwayrachina: Meaning "gold sifter," this area has several towers called Pucaras. These towers were likely used for communication or observation. It also has very steep terraces that might have been for defense.
- T’antana Marka: Across a gully from the Inca baths, this area is a huge ancient cemetery. Thousands of tombs were carved into the cliff face. The Incas believed in reincarnation, so they buried their mummies with belongings and food. Sadly, after the Spanish arrived, many tombs were robbed.
Amazing Inca Engineering
The Incas were incredible engineers!
- Terraces: The mountain is covered with about 500 agricultural terraces called andenes. Some are 6 meters (20 feet) high! These terraces helped expand farmland and prevent soil erosion. The stone walls of the terraces also absorbed heat during the day and released it at night. This kept plant roots warm during cold nights, allowing crops to grow at higher altitudes.
- Towers: Písac has more than 20 towers, or Pucaras. Some were conical with finely carved stones and connected to water channels. Others were watchtowers. The most important ones are in the Coriwayrachina area, guarding the path from the town.
- Tunnels: The Incas even enlarged natural cracks in the rock to create tunnels! One tunnel is 16 meters (52 feet) long and just wide enough for one person to pass through. This would have been an excellent defensive spot.
- Water Systems: The complex had an advanced water supply system. Water was collected from a small lake high above and brought down through canals. It supplied purification baths and various areas of the complex. Another spring supplied water to the ceremonial area through an impressive aqueduct called Antachara.
Gallery
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Inca structures in one of the urban areas of Pisac
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The P'isaqa residential area
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View from Qallaq'asa of the terraces (andenes)
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View of the Sacred Valley from the Intiwatana.
