Satellite Imagery & Drones Used To Discover A 1200 Year Old Wari Temple In Peru

Archaeologists have discovered a Wari ritual complex in southern Peru that dates back 1,200 years.

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The complex includes a D-shaped temple situated on a platform in Pakaytambo, which is 600 km southeast of Lima.

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The ancient Wari civilization controlled most of modern-day Peru from AD600 to AD1000, predating the Inca civilization.

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The research was led by David Reid from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

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Satellite imagery was used to locate the temple, and later, excavation, photogrammetry, and drones were used to study the site and create 3D models.

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Reid suggested that the temple and adjacent buildings were used by local communities for Wari-sponsored ritual gatherings.

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The temple was also used for political purposes, not just religious ones, according to Reid.

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Pakaytambo joins the 30 known Wari D-shaped temple complexes scattered throughout Peru.

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The Wari civilization used shared religious beliefs to incorporate people into their empire, facilitating large-scale ceremonial events hosted by Wari elites.

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