Huari[1] or Wari[2] is an archaeological site located near the town of Quinua, 22 km northeast of the city of Ayacucho, in the Ayacucho Region, Peru at an elevation between 2600 and 2900 meters.[2] It was the capital city of the Huari Empire and one of the largest urban settlements in ancient Peru.[2]
 A tomb at Huari | |
  Shown within Peru | |
| Location |  PeruHuamanga Province, Ayacucho |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 13°03′38″S 74°11′56″W / 13.06056°S 74.19889°W |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | 400 AD |
| Abandoned | 1000 AD |
| Periods | Middle Horizon |
| Cultures | Huari culture |
History
editHuari was founded ca. 400 AD and gained prominence around 550 AD.[1] At its height, the city was inhabited by around 70,000 people[1][2] from different cultures, making it the center of a new religion that synthesized the beliefs of those various peoples.[1] The city was abandoned ca. 1000 AD.[1]
Layout
editThe archaeological site spans an area of 2000 hectares, and comprises several areas or neighborhoods.[2] Buildings are made of stone and mudbrick, and painted in red and white.[2] Many of the structures had residential, administrative or religious purposes.[2]
