Tumshukayko
Encyclopedia
Tumshukayko is a pre-Inca archeological site near Caraz
, Huaylas Province
, Ancash Region
, Peru
.
It is recently discovered and still under research.
Its main structures are found on the right bank of Llullan river, West flank of the Cordillera Blanca
, 1 km north from the city of Caraz, at an elevation of 2300m above sea level. Recent investigations propose the site belongs to the Late Pre Ceramic (around 2000 BCE), even when upper sediments shows evidences of a later occupations (Mid Early Huaylas Culture), around 300 BCE - 300 CE.
The fine stone works forms a circular structure, consisting on platforms, terraces and stairways. The ost outstandong product from this culture are the stone head (cabezas clavas) and triangular stones, which clearly tells about an early Chavin civilization. [1]
The earliest structures were built, accordingly with chronology, between La Galgada (3,000 - 2,000 b.C) and Chavin
(1,200 - 300 BC). The artistic production recalls a lot of those found at the Moxeke complex, on Casma Valley
.
Around 1873, the Italian explorer Antonio Raimondi
described the place as a "hill", partially destroyed, built with huge stone walls. In 1919, Dr. Julio C. Tello
confirms this description by writing that the structure includes platforms and terraces forming inside aisles and stairrways. By 1990 some work was performed, removing debris and waste.
So we could say the meaning is: "We are the Center"
The structure extends approximeately 300m in diameter and 25m in elevation.
Caraz
Caraz is a town in the Caraz District in the southeastern part of Huaylas Province of the Ancash Region in Peru.-Political Creation:Recent investigations propose that it's political creation was dated on 12 February 1821, when Grl...
, Huaylas Province
Huaylas Province
-Political division:Huaylas is divided into ten districts, which are:-External links:...
, Ancash Region
Ancash Region
Ancash is a region in northern Peru. It is bordered by the La Libertad region on the north, the Huánuco and Pasco regions on the east, the Lima region on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its capital is the city of Huaraz, and its largest city and port is Chimbote...
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
It is recently discovered and still under research.
Its main structures are found on the right bank of Llullan river, West flank of the Cordillera Blanca
Cordillera Blanca
The Cordillera Blanca is a mountain range in the Ancash Region of Peru. Part of the larger Andes range, it includes 33 major peaks over high in an area wide and long.-Overview:...
, 1 km north from the city of Caraz, at an elevation of 2300m above sea level. Recent investigations propose the site belongs to the Late Pre Ceramic (around 2000 BCE), even when upper sediments shows evidences of a later occupations (Mid Early Huaylas Culture), around 300 BCE - 300 CE.
The fine stone works forms a circular structure, consisting on platforms, terraces and stairways. The ost outstandong product from this culture are the stone head (cabezas clavas) and triangular stones, which clearly tells about an early Chavin civilization. [1]
The earliest structures were built, accordingly with chronology, between La Galgada (3,000 - 2,000 b.C) and Chavin
Chavín culture
The Chavín were a civilization that developed in the northern Andean highlands of Peru from 900 BC to 200 BC. They extended their influence to other civilizations along the coast. The Chavín were located in the Mosna Valley where the Mosna and Huachecsa rivers merge...
(1,200 - 300 BC). The artistic production recalls a lot of those found at the Moxeke complex, on Casma Valley
Casma Valley
The Casma Valley, a coastal valley situated about north of Lima, Peru, lies between the towns of Chimbote and Huarmey. It is notable for the grand scale of numerous archaeological sites, including stone-faced pyramids and the Thirteen Towers of Chankillo. Sechin Alto is the largest American...
.
Around 1873, the Italian explorer Antonio Raimondi
Antonio Raimondi
Antonio Raimondi was a prominent Italian-born Peruvian geographer and scientist. Born in Milan, Raimondi emigrated to Peru, arriving on July 28, 1850 at the port of Callao. In 1851 he became a professor of natural history...
described the place as a "hill", partially destroyed, built with huge stone walls. In 1919, Dr. Julio C. Tello
Julio C. Tello
Julio César Tello was a Peruvian archaeologist. Tello is considered the "father of Peruvian archeology" and was America's first indigenous archaeologist...
confirms this description by writing that the structure includes platforms and terraces forming inside aisles and stairrways. By 1990 some work was performed, removing debris and waste.
Importance
Accordingly with the general outline fo the buildings, it seems to be a huge worship center.Etymology
Tumshu = Core, center, Kayko = We are.So we could say the meaning is: "We are the Center"
Site description
The Tumshukayko culture was set 1 km north from the present-day city of Caraz, and seemed to be a worship center for those people living in the surrounding areas. The temple is a massive flat-topped circular structure, surrounded by lower semi-circular walls, separated from each other about 2,40m, and this empty space was filled with loose rocks and earth. The outside temple walls are decorated with geometrical sculptures and carvings.The structure extends approximeately 300m in diameter and 25m in elevation.