Chavin de Huantar Historical Facts and Pictures

The archaeological site of Chavin de Huantar is one of the most popular pre-Columbian sites. Located in the Ankash Region of Peru, this earlier worshipping site contains ancient ruins and artifacts. Some of the relics found in the site are on display in Museo Nacional de Chavin and Musu de la Nacion, locted in Chavin and Lima respectively.The occupation at the site has been developed between fifteenth and fifth century BC.

Chavin de Huantar Map

Chavin de Huantar Map

Chavin de Huantar

Chavin de Huantar Pictures

Structure and Description of Chavin de Huantar

This historical site represents the construction technique and decorative art of its time. The buildings and plazas around the area with artificial rooftops and stone coating reflect the cultural and ceremonial nature of the site.  The plazas and buildings are decorated with lush zoomorphic and anthromorphic symbols. The tombstones, beams, monolithic stone sculptures and columns display bas-relief carving on them.

Chavin de Huantar Photos

Chavin de Huantar Inside

Inside of Chavin de Huantar

This religious center of the Chavin people is dominated by some major structures such as temples A, B, C, D, Old Temple, New Temple and buildings designated as Circular and Major Plazas.

Chavin de Huantar Temple

Chavin de Huantar Jaguar

The Circular Plaza is one of the chief structures within the site. It is an open-air ceremonial center considered as sacred and ritually very important.

Chavin Circular Plaza Cyark

Composed primarily of passageways, spread around the courtyard, the inward-facing Old Temple is among the other important structures of Chavin de Huantar. The structure contains stone monuments and obelisks with relief carvings representing caiman, jaguars and other figures with anthromorphic features.

Built between 500 and 200 BC, the similar plaza-designed New Temple consists many relief sculptures along with a U-shaped ceremonial center.

Chavin de Huantar Images

Chavin Lanzon Stela Cyark

Chavin de Huantar Pottery

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chavin de Huantar was excavated in 1919 by Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello, after which the site received international recognition.