Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman is a fortress that sits atop a hill above the city of Cuzco. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich history, detailed architecture, and cultural value. The structure was originally built by the Killke culture around year 1100, at an altitude of twelve thousand feet. It was later expanded by the Inca in the 13th century. The fortress is well known for its intricate stonework, with stones positioned so tightly together that one cannot stick a piece of paper between the rocks.
 * Sacsayhuaman **

There are many theories to the construction of the fort that resides above Cuzco. One dates back to Inca times when the father of Tupac Inca called the city of Cuzco a lion because of the shape the city had created. The tail was formed by where the two rivers met, the body was the great square of the city, and the head was the site of the soon to be fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Tupac realized the head was an essential part to the animal figure and thought a fortress would be perfect for the site. So the construction of Sacsayhuaman began. However archeologists have dated the structure back longer, saying the Killke culture built the foundation. But they agreed that the Inca were the ones to expand it, adding many of the structures that are seen today. The shape of an animal has been noted if looking at the city from above, but today it is characterized as a Puma.

The construction techniques used by the Inca are similar here than techniques at different sites. The stones at the site came from quarries near Cuzco where the stones were rough-cut by using harder stones and bronze tools. The stones were then dragged with rope to the site, which could take up to one-hundred men at a time, then fitted into their final form atop the hill in Cuzco by pounding them into shape rather than cutting them. The work was completed by the people of the area who were contributing their part to the state. Skilled architects oversaw the work to create the intricate foundation. Workers worked on a system of rotational labor called //mita// in which villages took turns sending workers to contribute to the project. Some modern day researchers of the site have suggested that ramps were built to transport the stones. Others believe the blocks were put in place by carving them precisely with an unknown method, then moved u ramps and along stacks of logs which were then removed, dropping the stones into place.

Sacsayhuaman includes a large main plaza that was used for ceremonies and rituals. There are also three massive terrace walls are the best known element of the fort, this is where the massive stones are found that are tightly positioned together. The walls are each six meters tall with the longest one four-hundred meters long, with an estimated weight of two-hundred tons. The construction of these walls have allowed the structure to survive devastating earthquakes because of the rounded corners, variety of interlocking shapes, precision of stones placed closely together, and how the walls lean inward.

The structure as a whole was inferred to be used for military purposes because of its high proximity above Cuzco, immense walls, and few small doorways. The fort was used when Maca Inca lay siege to Cuzco, with Sacsayhuaman critical to maintaining control of the city. Spaniards were attacking the Inca city during their conquers of South America. Before the siege there were towers located on the site with a labyrinth-like system of storage rooms filled with weapons, textiles, ceramics, and precious metals. There were also large windows that looked over the city. The siege destroyed parts of the fortress. Following the siege, Spaniards took the stones from Sacsayhuaman to use in the construction of Spanish Cuzco. Unfortunately this diminished the exquisite Inca architecture which was far superior to the Spanish way of building. Today only stones that were too large to move remain at the site of Sacsayhuaman.

Sacsayhuaman is still used today, and not just as a tourist hotspot. Peruvians celebrate Inti Raymi each year, the festival of the winter solstice and new year, which is held on June 24th. People sometimes even jog or participate in other athletic activities within the walls of the large field of the plaza. The fort of Sacsayhuaman is widely appreciated and recognized for its significance and history.

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 * ** ** By: Hannah Jackson