The grandeur of Lima‘s exquisite dining options, nightlife, arts and culture is surrounded by small towns that also have a lot to offer to travelers. They may not have five star hotels, but they often hold the remains of fascinating ancient cultures. The Casma Valley is a little over 300 kilometers north of Lima, and is known for producing many tropical fruits, such as avocados, mangos and passionfruits. The almost always sunny climate makes it a perfect place for these crops and others, including cotton and corn as well. However, the true treasure in the Casma Valley is called Chankillo. This archeological site was originally created over 2000 years ago. The site includes gathering areas, storage facilities, and a ceremonial center and temple. The most interesting facet of the ruins, however, is the Thirteen Towers. These towers are set along a low hill, each made from blocks of stone. The stones all sit about 5 meters from each other, and they each have a staircase leading to the top. The fascinating aspect of this structure is that the positions of the towers correspond with the sun’s range throughout the year. There are also two more lookout platforms at Chankillo, which researchers believe were placed there for viewing at sunrise and sunset. Spanish conquistadors also reported seeing sun pillars in Cusco when they arrived, but none are left today. Seeing this ancient formation has let researchers in on the way pre-Columbian Peruvians may have kept a calendar from solstice to solstice.
From the monthly archives:
February 2010
The start of civilization on this planet can be traced back to six cultures throughout the world. They include settlements in Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, Central America and Peru. Caral, Peru is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is still one of the most important archaeological finds of all time. Located in the Lima Region, it is only two hours north of the country’s current capitol. Before researchers discovered Caral, they did not believe that a complex agricultural society had existed in the Americas until one million years later. However, the main Caral settlement and temples date back to around 2600 BC, making them older than the pyramids in Egypt. Researchers believe some of the smaller settlements in the area may be even older. They also believe Caral was home to about 3,000 people, and that their innovative ways of fishing and irrigating their land made their civilization a success. Eventually, the town was abandoned, and it is widely believed that the people of Caral migrated due to an extreme drought. This site is now preserved as an invaluable piece of history, and tourists travel there to see one of the places where human civilization started.
The Incas are known for many things, including their orderly hierarchy and ability to conquer other civilizations. Another interesting aspect of their society is their innovative solutions to traveling. They did not used wheeled vehicles, but they did create suspension bridges that stretched across the canyons and gorges in the mountainous landscape of Peru. The bridges were made with heavy ropes of grass and branches, and had to be constantly maintained by peasants in order to remain in working condition. They were incredibly strong, however, and even sustained the Spanish conquerers when they arrived on horses. The last Inca rope bridge, Keshwa Chaca, is still in existence today. This is due to the commitment of several local families who replace the grass ropes each June, to honor their ancestors. It hangs over the Apurimac River in the Canas Province, and tourists pay a small fee to cross the bridge during the celebration of the new bridge in June.
When I travel to Peru, I look forward to the marketplace. I know that there will be a seemingly endless supply of beautifully handmade items, and of course I look forward to the jewelry. I love seeing new handcrafted jewelry styles, especially when they are inspired by Peruvian traditions. Sometimes I am also inspired by certain pieces that I eventually have adapted by the artisans to match my taste. That is what happened with the stunning inlaid stone and shell earrings I brought back on one of my jewelry buying trips. I later realized they would look great on a bracelet. I asked one of my favorite artisans if it would work, and before I knew it, there was a wonderful leather bracelet with an inlaid design as part of the Tikanchay collection of handcrafted bracelets.
