Junín

Tunanmarca

This important archaeological center was the capital of the Huanca culture. One of the best-preserved sites in the Mantaro Valley, it consists of a series of stone buildings grouped together in circles. “Tunanmarca” is derived from two quechua words: Tunan, meaning high and Marca meaning settlement, and is one of the largest Late Intermediate settlements found in Peru. At the end of the 1970s a group of archeologists from the University of California, directed by Timothy K Earle, conducted studies to determine its antiquity, placing it between 600 and 500 BC.

Sanctuary of Wari Willka or Warivilca

This complex was sanctuary that the Huanca people considered to be their place of origin. They came to dominate the Middle Horizon period, and the Wari State developed into a political dynasty that covered almost half the territory of modern Peru. The name Warivilca or “Huarivilca” has two roots in the quechua language: “huari” meaning old and remote, and “vilca” meaning sanctuary or altar.

Terraces of Tarmatambo

This elaborate system of agricultural terraces and irrigation channels was built during the Inca period (15th Century AD) and stands out for its design and construction techniques. Even after five hundred years it still prevents erosion, conserves the humidity of the soil, and improves the quality of water through its use of filtration systems. Local farmers use the terraces and channels to cultivate corn, potato, quinoa, barley, wheat, peas, broad beans, oats, alfalfa and flowers.

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