Wichqana

Wichqana (Quechua, also spelled Huichcana, Huichccana) is an archaeological site in Peru. It is located in the Ayacucho Region, Huamanga Province, Ayacucho District. Wichqana lies on a western slope of Uma Urqu north of Ayacucho.[1][2][3] Wichqana was during the early horizon time period which is one of the seven time periods used for Peruvian chronological construction.

For the mountain named Wichqana or Hapu Punta in the Cusco Region, Peru, see Hapu Punta.
Wichqana
LocationPeru, Ayacucho Region
RegionAndes
Coordinates13°08′00″S 74°12′40″W

Culture

Wichqana was active from around 1200-800 BC during the Kishka Pata Period and was a ceremonial center on the central highlands of Peru, on the Ayacucho Valley. The ceremonial center was similar to Cerro Secchin and the centers were built in a U-shape of alternating sized stones. The ceremonial center also included some Chavinoid features which shows that the Wichqana people were practicing some form of the Chavionoid culture. The Wichqana have some of the Chavinoid culture because during this time period the styles and derivatives of the Chavin were thriving.[4] On the site there were semicircle temple structures on artificial mounds which indicates some sort of priestly figure was used. Also found on the Wichqana site, 5 skulls of women were found buried which indicates the importance of sacrifices. When these decapitated heads were found, there were cobblestone of semi-ciricles found above them.[5]

The pottery that was found on the site was typical and basic. The pottery had little to no decoration but were typically brown, thin, with a pebble polish.[4]

Economy

The main source of trade and production for the Wichqana people included agriculture (potatoes, ocas, ullucus, maca, etc.) and pastoralism and the two main animals that were used for herding were llamas and alpacas. Along with agriculture and herding, hunting was also a large part of the economy which included common animals such as deer, rodents, and birds. It had been confirmed that most of the trading was done along the northern part of the territory during the earlier period, then later moving more toward the coastal area during the later years.[6]

References
  1. Gobierno Regional de Ayacucho, Plan de Desarrollo Turístico de la Región Ayacucho 2004 – 2014, Aprobado mediante Ordenanza de Consejo Regional N° 03 - 04 - GRA/PRES
  2. José Ochatoma Paravicino, El Periodo Formativo en Ayacucho: Balance y Perspectivas, Boletin de Arqueología PUCP No. 2 1998, 289-302 (see sketch map on p. 290)
  3. escale.minedu.gob.pe - UGEL map of the Huamanga Province (Ayacucho Region)
  4. Kipfer, Barbara Ann (2000-04-30). Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9780306461583.
  5. Elson, Christina M.; Covey, R. Alan (2006-01-01). Intermediate Elites in Pre-Columbian States and Empires. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 9780816524761.
  6. Peregrine, Peter N.; Ember, Melvin (2012-12-06). Encyclopedia of Prehistory: Volume 7: South America. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781461505211.


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