Garagay
Garagay Archaeological Site · Garagay Temple — Chillón Valley Relief Temple
Initial Period–Early Horizon (Chavín predecessor)·Manchoïd–Chavín (Garagay tradition)·🇵🇪 Lima, San Martín de Porres, Peru
About
About Garagay
Formative U-temple (1400–600 BCE) in Lima urban sprawl on hill above Chillón Valley, with U-shaped adobe mound 30 m, central court frontal stair, facing wings 150 m, and recently uncovered 3,000-yr polychrome relief mural of anthropomorphic-jaguar deity (Garagay frieze 2017). Excavated by Ravines, Pozorski. Georeference -12.005°N -77.089°W. Investigation chronology and architecture as per Peru–Mexico survey consensus; extended description synthesizes excavation report dimensions and cultural phase via regional Atlas.
Why it mattersEarliest polychrome relief temple on central coast; documents pre-Chavín supernatural synthesis precursor 1400 BCE.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Medusa-jaguar relief chromatic recipe survival 3400 years
Theories
- 01Garagay U-temple as coastal Chavín pilgrimage fountainhead disseminating Chavín iconography north
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.1400 BCE–600 BCE
- Period
- Initial Period–Early Horizon (Chavín predecessor)
- Culture
- Manchoïd–Chavín (Garagay tradition)
- Purpose
- U-shaped temple center with polychrome relief frieze (medusa/jaguar)
- Abandoned
- c.900 CE
- Rediscovered
- 20th c. survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
12.0050° S · 77.0890° W · 45 m · 2 mapped features
Garagay central pyramid/structure
pyramidMain mound 30×30 m 8 m high within U 150 m wings primary mound/structure
12.0040° S · 77.0890° WGaragay plaza/causeway component
earthworkAssociated plaza and causeway/road segment flanking main architecture
12.0060° S · 77.0880° W