Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple

Why it mattersKey Kotosh-Mito tradition (Iso's) Kotosh religious Kotosh Religious Tradition 3000 BCE predecessor to Chavín temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c. 2300 BCE Crossed Hands temple (9.5 m × 9.3 m chamber high relief crossed hands 1 m niches)

Period

Preceramic Kotosh-Mito tradition (3000–1700 BCE; Temple of Crossed Hands 2300 BCE; White Temple 1800 BCE)

Culture

Kotosh-Mito tradition (Iso's) Kotosh religious Kotosh Religious Tradition 3000 BCE predecessor to Chavín

Purpose

Temple of Crossed Hands (9.5 m square chamber 2.8 m high with crossed-hand mud relief 1 m) — earliest religious architecture of Andes 3000 BCE on Huanuco plateau with later White Temple and Huaracocha phase

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1907

Excavation

Excavated

1. c. 2300 BCE Crossed Hands temple (9.5 m × 9.3 m chamber high relief crossed hands 1 m niches)

   Initial construction / first occupation at Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple

2. 1890 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple

3. c. 400 BCE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple

• Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple — Principal Temple

  temple

  temple at Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple — hydraulic feature

  9.9313° S · 76.2790° W

• Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple — Northern Altar

  altar

  altar at Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple — outlier feature

  9.9316° S · 76.2793° W

• Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple — Shrine Annex 3

  shrine

  shrine at Kotosh — Temple of the Crossed Hands Mito Temple — primary structure

  9.9326° S · 76.2767° W