Gran Vilaya is a complex of many archaeological remains and ruins, spread over a wide area. It is located to the west of Kuelap fortress, it is characterised by ruins centres of population such as the Stairs, the Pirquilla, Cacahuasha, Mortar, the Bishop, Paxamarca, Lanche, the Secret, etc. There are 15-30 main sites and hundresds of samller sites too. This entire complex dates from the pre-Incan Chachapoyan culture.
It is estimated that approximately 5000 buildings exist within the greater Gran Vilaya area, some circular and some rectangular, they are all constructed of local limestone lime stone with geometraical shapes embossed on the sides of many, representing gods such as the snake, condor or puma (the former in zig zag patterns, the latter in diamond shapes representing their eyes).
Several agencies run trekking trips into the area, starting in the Vale of Huaylla Bethlehem/La Valle de Belen, crossing the mountains on foot and horseback and finishing up at the fortress of Kuelap. This is a great way to get to know a little more about the Chachapoyan culture.
Other pages about Archaeological sites in Peru
-Aspero -Buena Vista, Peru -Cahuachi -Carajia -Caral -Chankillo -Chivay Obsidian Source -Cumbe Mayo -Cusco -Gran Pajaten -Gran Saposoa -Gran Vilaya -Huayna Picchu -Inca road system -Jiskairumoko -Kuntur Wasi -List of Norte Chico sites -Llactapata -Lord of Sipan -Los Pinchudos -Machu Picchu -Moray (Inca ruin) -Nazca -Nazca Lines -Paijan -Pikimachay -Revash's mausoleums -Sarcofagi of Carajia -Sipan -Temple of the Moon -Tucume Pyramids -Wari ruins -Winay Wayna
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Gran_Vilaya
