Chavín de Huántar
Chavín de Huántar
Chavín de Huántar (Chavín de Huantar, Áncash) — located 110 km southeast of the town of Huaraz, this site is even older than the Inca Empire. Its main temple was built in 1,400 BC. Revered by locals for the oracle-like powers that its priests were said to have, they would seek their counsel and make offerings to the gods. A visit to this complex includes a tour through some of its passages and plazas. The exterior walls are decorated with a series of important heads: zoomorphic faces carved in stone that guard the temple. Other sites found here include the Tello Pyramid, the Circular Plaza, the Rectangular Plaza, the North and South North Platforms, the New Temple and the Old Temple. At the village of Chavín de Huatar, a local museum houses some of the artifacts found at this ancient site.