Cemetery of Chauchilla

Location:
Nasca, Peru

Ruin

By Carlos

This graveyard from the Chincha period (1000-1460) makes an interesting day trip from Nazca. Located about 8 kilometers off the Panamerican Highway, approximately 30 minutes south of Nazca, this somber collection of human remains is a stark reminder of the presence of looting in the area. Thousands of sun-bleached human bones, accompanied by scraps of textiles and snatches of human hair, are haphazardly strewn about the desolate landscape. Both time and looters have robbed the site of much of its archaeological integrity, leaving behind a jumble of bones and mess of human artifacts. Local archaeologists scramble to identify and piece together remnants of this desert graveyard, in a desperate attempt to salvage any historical information they can from the site. It is the only archaeological site in Peru, in which ancient mummies are seen in their original graves, along wth ancient artifacts, dating back to 1000 AD. Like the Cahuichi complex, there is no formal public transport to the site, but tours can be arranged through local agencies. Open dawn to dusk.

Price Description: Entry: $1.70

Tours cost $15-20 (check if company includes the entry fee)