Tambo Colorado

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Tambo Colorado remains of original colours on adobe walls
Tambo Colorado remains of original colours on adobe walls
Tambo Colorado overview
Tambo Colorado overview

Tambo Colorado is a well-preserved Inca adobe complex on the coast of Peru also know as Puka Tampu, Pucallacta or Pucahuasi.

Contents

[edit] Location

The site is located in the valley of the river Pisco about 40 km along the highway to Ayacucho know as the Via de los Libertadores close to the town of Pisco.

[edit] Name

The site owes it name to the abundant use of colours on the walls (mainly red). Some original colours (red, white and yellow) can still be seen on some of the walls.

[edit] History

The site was most likely built at the end of the 15th century during the reign of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui also known as Pachacutec.

[edit] Lay-out

The site is comprised of several structures around a large central plaza. The central plaza is shaped like a trapezoid with its largest side being 150 m long. The main structures are grouped together in a northern part and a southern part (Sector Norte and Sector Sur).

[edit] Use

It is believed to have been used by the Incas as an administrative and control site on the main road from the coast to the highlands.

[edit] Museum

A small on-site museum is located near the entrance of the complex.

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