R. Doug Wicker — Author

Mugging for the camera

Not all of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid has been excavated and cleared.  Here’s an area still being uncovered:

Huaca Pucllana

As you wander around the pyramid you’ll find full size dioramas depicting the ancient Lima Culture people and how they constructed Huaca Pucllana.

Huaca Pucllana life size diorama

You’ll also find depictions of Ceremonial dress and activities.

Huaca Pucllana life size diorama

Within the Huaca Pucllana archeological site you’ll also find indigenous plants and animals in a small garden and animal enclosure area.

Alpaca

Fun Photo Friday will have some of my favorite shots from this area.  Until then click on any image below for today’s slide show:

Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana life size diorama

Alpaca

Huaca Pucllana

Alpaca

Huaca Pucllana Panorama

March 19 was a busy day in Lima but, then, so was the next day as you’ll see in a couple of weeks.  Our next stop this day was the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, where we arrived late that afternoon.  Huaca Pucllana is located in the Miraflores District, which is the upscale area of Lima.

Right in the middle of the upscale Miraflores District

Huaca Pucllana was constructed of intricately layered adobe and clay bricks set in seven large terraces.  The structure was built around 1,500 years ago, and it served as the administrative and religious center for the Lima Culture.

Huaca Pucllana

One amazing aspect of the construction method is that it made the pyramid very resilient to earthquakes.  Here’s a closeup of how the adobe bricks fit together, thus allowing for sway:

Adobe construction closeup

By the way, in the above picture you see original bricks on the left and new bricks used in restoration to the right.  In addition to restoration, the site is being excavated as well:

The view from above

While the climb to the top may look a bit daunting, it’s actually very manageable.  Once you get to the top you’ll see vistas such as this:

Panoramic View

I’ll present more on Huaca Pucllana on Wednesday and this week’s Fun Photo Friday.  Until then, click on any image below to enlarge and bring up today’s slide show:

Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana

Layered adobe construction

Huaca Pucllana Pyramid

Huaca Pucllana