Raqchi

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Raqchi
Temple of Wiracocha
Raqchi overview with the temple of Wiracocha on the far right.
Raqchi overview with the temple of Wiracocha on the far right.
Raqchi
Location of Raqchi Peru

Coordinates:14°10′30″S 71°22′0″W / -14.175, -71.36667
Culture Inca
Period
Country
Region		 Flag of Peru Peru
Cusco
Area
Area
Elevation		 10.97 km²
3460 m
Official website
n/a

Raqchi is an Inca archaeological site in the Cusco region in Peru also known as the Temple of Wiracocha, one of its constituents.

[edit] Layout

The complex of Raqchi consists of several different areas each designated with a specific function. The most prominent structure is the Temple of Wiracocha, an enormous two-story roofed structure. This structure consists of a central wall some 18-20m in height flanked on each side by a row of twelve columns. The 4m high foundations for both the wall and the columns are classic high Inca stonework with the remaining height built of adobe. Prior to its destruction by the Spaniards, the temple had what is believed to be the largest single roof in the Incan Empire, having its peak at the central wall, then stretching over the columns and some 25m beyond on each side. The huge proportions of the temple, and its prominence on the site explain why the whole complex is also sometimes referred to as the Temple of Wiracocha. Adjoining the temple to the north are the living quarters, which would have housed both priests and local administrators. The living area is divided into separate squared lots the largest of which is roughly 4x6m. All have niches in their walls which might have been used for storage, though some of the niches have cover posts, suggesting they may have held sacred objects. To the eastern side of the temple are some 200 round storehouses each some 12m across. These storehouses were used to hold grains, such as corn and quinoa, that would have been used for ceremonial purposes. The storehouses are also unique as unlike other structures throughout the empire they are not square cornered. The reason for this is unknown. To the west of the temple is a large field, now used by locals for farming, that might have been a fairground or to hold overflow of worshipers from the temple itself. On the far western edge of this field is a set of baths similar to ceremonial baths at important sites throughout the empire.

[edit] External links

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