cuzco day 4 part vi

About the Glyptodonts - they are massive ancient armadillos known only by their fossil remains. The animals went extinct around 10,000 years ago during the last ice age, after having lived in both North and South America.

One species weighed nearly 2 tons. Their shells were inflexible like a turtle's, as opposed to today's armadillos whose shells bend and move with their bodies.

We were all eyes since we did not expect to see a Glyptodont as part of the exhibition!

The pre-Hispanic site of Pikillaqta is located over 3350 mts. (11000 Ft.) and belonged to a satellite city of the Wari Culture developed in the present-day Ayacucho department. The Wari Culture is a blend of cultural elements of the Warpa, Nazca and Tiahuanaco civilizations. It undertook the start of its territorial expansion and then the Wari invasion of the Cuzco valley toward the year 750 AD; being developed approximately until 1200 AD. Everything indicates that by the beginning of the Incan development the Waris were defeated in this region, conquered and absorbed, and their city was reused for the Tahuantinsuyo's interests. Today that pre-Incan City contains approximately 700 buildings, 200 "kanchas" (apartments) and 504 "qolqas" (storehouses) and different buildings. It must have had a population of about 10 thousand people.

Mama RoveS in one of the main entrances. Behind her you can see the wall which surrounds the complete area.

The walls were originally covered with a coat of mud of 9 cm. and whitened with gypsum; likewise, the floors were made with a thick coat of gypsum, being thus demonstrated that by 750 AD Pikillaqta was a white city.

The 70s Club members posing for Mama RoveS' Nikon Coolpix 885... they look like they own Pikillaqta!

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