Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall
Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall North Annex · Marcahuamachuco Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇵🇪 La Libertad, Marcahuamachuco, Peru
About
About Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall
Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall in La Libertad, Marcahuamachuco, Peru is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at -7.7880N -78.0790E controls access to La Libertad resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for La Libertad, Marcahuamachuco, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1966 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall main structure
c. 1946
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1961–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
7.7880° S · 78.0790° W · 402 m · 4 mapped features
Marcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
7.7872° S · 78.0781° WMarcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
7.7890° S · 78.0797° WMarcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
7.7865° S · 78.0778° WMarcahuamachuco Castillo North Wall — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
7.7896° S · 78.0801° W