Vichama — Templo Mayor Pyramid
Late Preceramic Norte Chico, c.3800–2800 BCE (peak 1800 BCE)·Norte Chico (Vichama)·🇵🇪 Lima Region, Huaura, Végueta District, Peru
About
About Vichama — Templo Mayor Pyramid
Templo Mayor at Vichama (c.3800–3300 BCE with major Late Preceramic build c.2800 BCE, Norte Chico), 50 × 70 m base, 16 m high terraced pyramid with summit plazas and elaborate stucco reliefs of warrior figures (the recently famous 'serpent-headed' warriors 2019 find). Ruiz & Shady excavations; directly opposite coastal Bandurria–Vichama bay, complementary fishing-agricultural duality.
Why it matters2019 serpent-warrior reliefs reframe Preceramic art sophistication; Ruiz argues Bandurria/Vichama companion to Caral.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Warrior iconography — ritual or real war in 3000 BCE?
Theories
- 01Norte Chico 'peaceful' myth challenged by warrior friezes
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 major terrace, refurbished c.1800 BCE
- Period
- Late Preceramic Norte Chico, c.3800–2800 BCE (peak 1800 BCE)
- Culture
- Norte Chico (Vichama)
- Builders
- Norte Chico preceramic
- Purpose
- Temple-pyramid — elite ceremonial centre allied with Caral and Bandurria valley
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.2800 BCE major terrace, refurbished c.1800 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c.800 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1100 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
11.0230° S · 77.6280° W · 40 m · 2 mapped features
Templo Mayor summit platform and relief gallery
reliefSummit platform with stucco relief gallery of anthropomorphic warriors and toads
11.0229° S · 77.6279° WSector B circular sunken altar
altarCircular sunken altar feature frontal on middle terrace
11.0231° S · 77.6281° W