Asnop Grande — Marañón Basin Mound (Huanuco)
Aśnop Grande · Asnop
Late Initial Period to Early Horizon (1200–400 BCE)·Marañón–Kotosh tradition / early Chavín sphere·🇵🇪 Huánuco Region, Huamalíes Province, Upper Marañón basin, Singa District hill crest, Peru
About
About Asnop Grande — Marañón Basin Mound (Huanuco)
Isolated hill-top mound on continental divide crest above Upper Marañón near Singa, Huánuco, forming Marañón basin response to Kotosh tradition contemporaneous with Kotosh–Huaricoto development 50 km south. Bonn University high-altitude survey found platform mound with surrounding terrace, sunken circular court with twin niches and burnt offering floor containing Kotosh-style red and black pottery and camelid bone caches. Views dominate pass between Callejón de Huaylas and Huallaga. Unlooted due to remoteness and altitude; perishable thatch shelter over court.
Why it mattersOnly high-altitude ceremonial mound linking Kotosh lowland to Chavín highland route.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Camelid sacrifice specialization at altitude
Theories
- 01Mound marked pilgrimage station for highland Chavín pilgrims ascending to 3800 m pass
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1200–800 BCE
- Period
- Late Initial Period to Early Horizon (1200–400 BCE)
- Culture
- Marañón–Kotosh tradition / early Chavín sphere
- Purpose
- Highland ritual mound temple — 12 m high platform mound atop 3800 m hill controlling Marañón–Huari pass with sunken court and Kotosh-style niches
- Excavation
- Excavated
2015
Bonn University Marañón survey maps mound
2018
Test trench exposes niches court floor
On the ground
Structures & features
9.5000° S · 76.9000° W · 3800 m · 2 mapped features
Summit sunken circular court with niches
court8 m circular court with two niches and burnt camelid offering floor atop mound
9.4995° S · 76.9000° WLower encircling terrace wall
terrace2 m thick fieldstone terrace retaining mound fill, outer ramp
9.5005° S · 76.9000° W