Las Haldas Secondary Platform
Las Haldas Secondary · Las Haldas Casma
Initial Period 2200–1000 BCE, Sechín-Casma tradition·Casma-Sechín (Initial Period)·🇵🇪 Ancash, Casma Province, Peru
About
About Las Haldas Secondary Platform
Secondary platform south of main Las Haldas pyramid on coastal terrace 20 m above Pacific tidal flat: 9 m high stepped platform 40×35 m with plastered stair facing sea, contemporary with Sechín Bajo 3500 BCE tradition but dated 2200 BCE Initial Period. Engineered above lomas fog oasis, with midden of anchovy and mussel demonstrating early maritime platform ritual.
Why it mattersDocuments Casma Initial Period coastal platform fluorescence linking Norte Chico shicra to Sechín highland temple tradition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How Las Haldas platforms persisted without river valley agriculture
- 02Whether secondary platform was tide-calibrated observatory
Theories
- 01Fishing-shrine for lomas fog-oasis ritual
- 02Casma maritime chiefdom gateway contrasting inland Sechín Alto
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.2200–1200 BCE (Initial Period)
- Period
- Initial Period 2200–1000 BCE, Sechín-Casma tradition
- Culture
- Casma-Sechín (Initial Period)
- Builders
- Casma-Sechín
- Purpose
- Secondary stepped platform 400 m south of Las Haldas main pyramid on terrace above intertidal zone, early coastal platform
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2200–1200 BCE (Initial Period)
Initial construction
1000 BCE, Sechín-Casma tradition
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
9.5040° S · 78.3860° W · 45 m · 2 mapped features
Las Haldas Secondary summit
platform mound9 m platform summit atrium with sea-facing stair
9.5030° S · 78.3850° WMidden and lomas terrace
middenAnchovy-mussel midden on lomas oasis terrace below platform
9.5050° S · 78.3870° W
Gallery