Jach'a Phasa facts for kids
Location | La Paz Department, Pacajes Province, Calacoto Municipality |
---|---|
Region | Andes |
Coordinates | 17°23′47″S 68°48′13″W / 17.39639°S 68.80361°W |
Type | Necropolis |
Height | 4126 |
Jach'a Phasa is an amazing ancient place in Bolivia. It is famous for its many old towers called chullpa. These towers were built long ago by people who lived in the Andes mountains. The site is located high up on a mountain, offering incredible views.
Contents
What is Jach'a Phasa?
The name Jach'a Phasa comes from the Aymara language. Jach'a means "big," and phasa means "edible earth." So, the name can be thought of as "Big Edible Earth." You might also see its name spelled as Jachapasa, Jachapaza, Jachaphasa, or Jachcha Paza.
This special archaeological site is in the La Paz Department. It is found in the Pacajes Province, within the Calacoto Municipality. The site is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northeast of a town called Rosario.
High Up in the Andes
Jach'a Phasa sits on top of a mountain that shares its name. It is very high up, at about 4,126 meters (13,537 feet) above sea level. This makes it one of the highest archaeological sites. The mountain is located north of the Mawri River. Imagine building something so grand at such a high altitude!
The Mysterious Chullpa Towers
The main feature of Jach'a Phasa is its more than 50 chullpa towers. A chullpa is a type of ancient burial tower. These towers were used to bury important people or families. They are like small, tall buildings made for the dead.
The chullpa at Jach'a Phasa are built from volcanic stone. This stone is very strong and durable. The builders used a mix of mud and straw as mortar to hold the stones together. This shows how clever ancient people were with their building materials.
The entire area with the chullpa is surrounded by a strong wall. This wall likely protected the site. It also made the area feel more sacred and important.
Nearby Ancient Sites
Jach'a Phasa is not the only ancient site in this area. There are other interesting places nearby.
- Taypi Phasa: This site also has chullpa towers and old walls. It is located a bit southeast of Jach'a Phasa.
- Thiya Phasa: Also known as Tiaphasa, this site features ancient walls.
- Ch'iyara Chullpa: This place is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) east of Rosario. It is home to an impressive 78 chullpa towers.
These nearby sites suggest that the area was very important to the ancient people who lived there. It was likely a significant place for burials and ceremonies.
See also
In Spanish: Fortaleza de Jachaphasa para niños