From Cuzco Visit The Sacred Valley: Parque Arqueológico de Saqsaywamen, Q'Enqo (Holy Place), Pukapukara (Red Fortress), Chinchero Textiles Tour
Above: The Peruvian Trifecta, Bright Clean Local Native Dress, Kids, and Baby Animals. We just could not pass up on the opportunity. Terry Struck and a Lamb - We rewarded their efforts.
Parque Arqueológico de Saqsaywamen
(Sound like Sexy Woman, it took a while to figure)
Above Left: Parque Arqueológico de Saqsaywamen.
Saksaywaman(Quechua language, waman means Falcon) is a citadel on the northern outskirts of the city of Cusco, Peru, the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Sections were first built by the Killke culture about 1100 CE; they had occupied the area since 900 CE. The complex was expanded and added to by the Inca from the 13th century; they built dry stone walls constructed of huge stones. The workers carefully cut the boulders to fit them together tightly without mortar. The site is at an altitude of 3,701 m (12,142 ft) - Wikipedia
The citadel was built to protect the capitol of the Inca Empire from a mountain side attack.
Above Right: We are now on the other side (east) of the Jesus Statue.
All: We will learn that ALL Big Boulder placement/usage ONLY involves sacred or religous sites.
Above: Locals in Native Dress.
Above: Zig-zag Wall Design give both, increase Strength and increased Defensive capabilities.
Above Left: So, 1) How did they cut the stones to fit AND 2) How did they move and maneuver the stones.
Above Right: Terry gives perspective to the 'stone' size.
Above Left: Gateway.
Above Right: The Panther pole-cap is interesting.
Above Left: The Lintel does not look like the Incas put it there (my opinion, it just does not fit to Inca standards).
Above Right: More entryways, we're climbing.
Above Left: It never rained on us.
Above Right: Terry is happy; she used to have a pet lamb as a kid (pun).
Q'Enqo / Q'Inqu (Holy Place on the Inka Trail)
Q'Enqo / Q'Inqu (Quechua for "zig-zag", is an archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of Peru located in the Cusco Region, Cusco Province, Cusco District, about 6 km north east of Cusco. The site was declared a Cultural Heritage (Patrimonio Cultural) of the Cusco Region by the National Institute of Culture. - Wikipedia
It is one of the largest wak'as (holy places) in the Cusco Region. Many wak'as were based on naturally occurring rock formations. It was believed to be a place where sacrifices and mummification took place. - Wikipedia
Above: Inka Holy Places have two (2) geographic requirements.
1) They must be close to the heavens (a geographic high point).
2) They must be close to the underworld (a geographic underground)
This location clearly meets the requirements; the elevation here is around 12,000'/4000m.
Above: The underground cavern is really space between a collection of boulders such that indirect daylight will refract through the spaces between the boulders. The cavern area was widened by the Inkas. Another favorable advantage is that the cavern has two (2) different access tunnels, the people could be led from one end and the holy-men could access from the other end (and have a separate holy-men area).
Pukapukara (Quechua for Red Fortress)
(Guard Station, Watch Tower, Resting Place, Inka Trail
Way Station, Armory, and Grainery)
Puka Pukara (Quechua: Puka Red, Pukara Fortress), "Red Fortress", is a site of military ruins in Peru situated in the Cusco Region, Cusco Province, Cusco District, near Cusco. This fort is made of large walls, terraces, and staircases and was part of defense of Cusco in particular and the Inca Empire in general.
The name probably comes from the red color of the rocks at dusk. Puka Pukara is an example of military architecture that also functioned as an administrative center.
Chinchero Textiles Tour
(From Alpaca to Market - Wool Preparation and Weaving
Above: Tejido Tradicional (Tejido means Weaving).
Shear Sheep
Wash/Clean Wool
Wool Spin
Gather Natural Plants, Minerals, or Insects for Dyeing
Dye
Weave
All: Spinning (Twist wool into an equal width String, Spin the Spindle, and Spool the Yarn String onto the Spindle).
Above Left: Loaded Spindles and Yarn Balls.
Above Right: "Tuna Blood" comes from squeezing the Cochineal insect (which grows on the Tuna Cactus). The Tuna Cactus looks like a larger leafed Prickly Pear but is has less Needles. The Cochineal insect makes a waxy looking small cocoon looking nest on Tuna Cacti. The Tuna Blood is a natural red dye and it can be varied in color from Pink, Purple, or Brown by mixing other minerals or plant parts.
Above: Materials for Dying and Cleaning.
Above Left: An example color from raw Tuna Blood.
Above Right: A color palate from mixing other minerals or plant parts.
Above Left: Sal (Salt) was being selected/demonstrated.
Above Right: Two existing colors were mixed to form a fourth color.
Above Left: Weaving with a mix of colors.
Above Right: A very colorful cloth.
Above Left: Níko, the plant.
Above Right: All of the material parts for weaving, a weave in progress.
Above: Shades of Níko (Brown).
Above: Weaving.
Above: Beautiful and intricate weavings.
Above: Colorful selections of cloth work (for sale).
Above: Cloth Weaving Selections.
Our Evening Return to Cuzco
Above: Downtown Cuzco.
Above Left: Statue to Pachacuti, Sapa Inca, 9th Ruler of the Inca Empire and he is credited for making Cuzco a major city; the statue is located in the main plaza. Also note no statue to Pizarro here.
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