Another day spent mostly on the bus. On the way to Puno, however, one stop in particular proved rather significant in regards to Inca cosmogony and architecture. The Temple of Wiracocha serves as an excellent example of Inca construction, due to the good preservation of a portion of its walls.The structure commemorates an important figure in Inca mythology, for Wiracocha (Contiti Viracocha) and, in some accounts, his similarly named sons, created the sun, moon, and humanity. This figure, who brought order to the world before walking out onto the ocean and vanishing, had pum
a heads projecting from his torso and serpents wrapped around his arms. The term Wiracocha may have simply been a title, which would explain its application to the Spaniards upon their arrival to South America.Some sections of the building are also well-preserved and exemplify the particulars of Inca construction. The base of the walls were stone, on top of which was placed mudbrick, followed by another section of stone. The reasoning behind such practices is still unknown. Additionally, the Inca would have made roofs out of thatched material.
Other architectural features are also noteworthy, such as a locking mechanism for a door, carved from stone. A working fountain continues to provide water. The stonework at the site appears volcanic, unsurprising due to the significant level of seismic activity in the region.
Finally, gardens occupy much of the area, with traditional crops growing in abundance. Potatoes, flowers, and other flora cultivated by the Inca at the site reveal the agricultural diversity of the Andes.
The Spanish placed a cross on the site in an attempt to assert the supremacy of Christianity. Christian art also features prominently on several churches visited on Thursday, decorated with syncretic symbols, native languages
, and graphic depictions of hell.
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