USEFUL NOTES SOUTH VALLEY

The south area of Cusco played a very important role on the development of the great Inca state.  This started with the emigration towards the south (Peruvina altiplano) which made possible the occupation of the valley of Cusco,  the first inhabitants were the Marcavalles who are considered as the oldest human civilization (1000 B.C) and who occupied the area of the same name, the Omas  occupied the district of San Jeronimo and the Wari-Chankas, who left great developments on irrigation, urban planns and andens making. This developments can be seen in two archeological places. Raqchi Tipon which has a great range of Andens and Irrigation Channels, this shows that this was a place destined to the Agriculture research. Pikillacta which is quite amazing for its straight roads, two story-buildings and even ten-metre-high walls. This remains can tell us a lot of the ancient pre-inka cultures. Art also outstands in the South Valley, that's how in Andahuaylillas we can find a beautiful little church built on colonial times which owns wonderful paintings and precious portraits. The outside as well as the inside is all painted with different images.

 TIPON 

>> MEANING:  It comes from the the Quechua word T'impuy which means: where the water boils, due to the number of underground springs.  The word Tipon is not right pronounced. 

>> LOCATION: It is located on the valley of the same name, in the community of Choquepata, district of Oropesa, province of Quispicanchis, department of Cusco. 

>> AREA: The area is aapproximately 227 hectares. 

>> ALTITUDE: It is located at 3500 m.a.s.l. 

>> GETTING THERE: You can get there by the main road to Puno at about 17.5 km away from Cusco and then about another 2km on dirt road which will lead you to the farm of Quispicanchis, then you must walk until the complex itself..

>> GENERAL INFO: Scientists suggest that this archaeological area was built during the final period of the government of Yawar Wakaj and it was completed during the period of Wiracocha, but looking at the arquitectural style and the characteristics of the the construction they are more inclined towards the period of Pachakuti .

 PIKILLAQTA 

>> MEANING:  Piki means: flea,  and Llaqta means: city, town.  It doesn't explins the existance of parasites though, it was called like that because of the ammount of people that live there.

>>LOCATION: It is located beside the Watanay river , on the land of the Muyna lagoon mostly known as Huacarpay. 

>> AREA: It has an area of 3421 hectares.

>> ALTITTUDE: The altitude at this point is 3205 m.a.s.l. 

>> GETTING THERE: If you take the main road to Puno after 32.2km you will find the dirt road which leads you to Pikillaqta.

>> GENERAL INFO: Pikillacta is decorated with walls higher than 10 m and 1 .20 m wide, built in stone and clay. In Inka times it was used as a check point before getting into Collasuyo.

 ANDAHUAYLILLAS - RAQCHI 

>> LOCATION: It is located above the left bank of the Vilcanota river,  hosting the communities of Raqchi and Qea in the district of San Pedro, province of Canchis. 

>> AREA: It reaches the 264 hectáreas.

>> ALTITUD: It rises up to 3456 m.a.s.l.

>> GETTING THERE: You can take the main road to Puno and roughly 35 km away you must take a small turn, go on for about 600 m and you will find yourself exactly on the little plaza where the famous Chapel is located.

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Useful Notes South Valley