Tambo Colorado facts for kids
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Puka Tampu
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Remains of original colours on the Northern Palace adobe walls of Tambo Colorado
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 Location in Peru
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| Alternative name | Pukallaqta, Pukawasi |
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| Location | Ica Region, Peru |
| Coordinates | 13°42′19″S 75°49′45″W / 13.70528°S 75.82917°W |
| Type | Settlement |
| Area | 1.2 ha (3.0 acres) |
| History | |
| Founded | 1470 |
| Abandoned | 1532 |
| Periods | Late Horizon |
| Cultures | Inca |
Tambo Colorado (which means Pukatampu in Quechua) is a very old and well-preserved Inca complex. It is made from adobe, which is a type of sun-dried mud brick. You can find it near the coast of Peru. People also call it Puka Tampu, Pukallaqta, or Pukawasi, all meaning "red resting place" or "red house".
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Where is Tambo Colorado?
This ancient site is located in the Pisco River Valley. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) inland from the southern coast of Peru. The nearest town is Pisco. You can reach it by following the highway called Via de los Libertadores. In 2007, a big earthquake hit Peru, but luckily, Tambo Colorado did not suffer much damage.
When was Tambo Colorado built?
Historians believe Tambo Colorado was built around the end of the 15th century. This was during the time of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. He was also known as Pachacutec. The site was built after the Inca Empire took over the merchant kingdom of Chincha.
Why is it called Tambo Colorado?
The name "Tambo Colorado" means "red resting place." It got this name because many of its walls still have their original colors. The weather here is very dry, which helped preserve the paint. You can still see strips of red, black, white, and yellow on the walls. These colors were often put on top of stucco (a type of plaster). The different colors helped highlight special parts of the buildings, like the niches. Niches are small, recessed areas in the walls. They were probably used to display important objects. All Inca buildings, including Tambo Colorado, had niches of a standard size.
What does Tambo Colorado look like?
The site has several buildings grouped around a large central plaza. This plaza is shaped like a trapezoid, with its longest side being 150 meters (about 492 feet) long. The main buildings are divided into a northern part and a southern part. These are known as the Northern Palace and the two Southern Palaces. There is also an Ushnu, which is a raised platform used for ceremonies. Another building is called the Utilities Structure. You can see a mix of building styles here. It combines techniques from both the Chincha people and the Inca Empire.
What was Tambo Colorado used for?
Experts think the Incas used Tambo Colorado as an important administrative center. It also served as a control point. It was located on a main road that connected the coast to the highlands. This allowed the Incas to manage trade and travel in the area.
Is there a museum at Tambo Colorado?
Yes, there is a small museum right at the site. It is located near the entrance of the complex. You can visit it to learn more about Tambo Colorado and the Inca Empire.
See also
In Spanish: Tambo Colorado para niños
