Museo de Sitio Wari, Ayacucho Region, Peru

4Craig K 5:00 PM Jan 21, 2015

Impressive
To see 1,000 year old ruins uncovered is very interesting. The site is still an active archaeologically and will continue growing.

4Ian D 5:00 PM Feb 17, 2014

Wari................. a work in progress
Wari, sometimes referred to as Huari, is only 20 Km or so from Ayacucho, in the direction of Quinua. Wari was the capital of the Wari civilisation, which predates that of the Incas’. During the middle kingdom period, say 600 to 1000 AD, Wari culture was dominant over a very large geographical area; it encompassed both the Nasca region, on the pacific coast, the Tiauanaco, of the Lake Titicaca watershed and stretched into present day Bolivia. Wari was one of the very first urban walled towns of the Andean region, and it covers a very large area. The ruins are, unfortunately very ruinous and are slowly being excavated; today they lie in a cactus forest and often under a blazing sun. There are many tombs of the Wari nobles, a few very high walls, the majority of which are most probably reconstructed, streets stretching into the far distance with the vestiges and outline of their adjoining buildings, and the remains of irrigation channels and tunnels. The is a small museum which regrettably contains, with indifferent descriptions, not much of interest; the most important finds and discoveries to date having already been removed to the Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropolgia e Historia del Peru in Lima. Nevertheless Wari is worth a short stop, if only to remind the traveller that Peru was inhabited by several highly developed and artistic cultures, and for long periods of time, before the ascendance of the Inca. Tour companies based in Ayacucho offer one day trips, at reasonable rates, that include Wari (Huari), Quinua and the nearby famous battlefield on the Pampa de Quinua. Quinua, in complete contrast to the desert, and deserted appearance, of Wari, is a small, attractive and rather sleepy village about 35km from the city of Ayacucho. Quinua, at an altitude of 3,300 meters has a relaxing, refreshing climate and is justly famous for its fine handicrafts, particularly ceramics. Traditional in design and execution, model churches are made by hand and colourfully decorated, and are then set on the roofs of newly built houses throughout the central highlands of Peru. Locals say that they are placed there to ward off evil spirits or, alternatively, an early example of a somewhat primitive lightning conductor. Quinua is a popular place for visitors to take an enjoyable short break on their way to the nearby Pampa de Quinua, where a 44 metre high obelisk stands to commemorate the renowned 1824 Battle of Ayacucho. There is small historical museum overlooking the main square and simple lodgings and restaurants close by. For the independent traveller with private transport Quinua may, possible, be an attractive base from which to explore in greater depth the surrounding rugged countryside. Not only is Wari close by but also, a little further afield, the town of Huanta, the valley of Luricocha and its associated cave at Pikimachay. In either case the visitor will take pleasure in travelling through this remarkable and beautiful countryside, there is much to see and it is far from the more conventional tourist routes.