In southern Peru’s Sacred Valley, on a mountain west of the ancient
city of Ollantaytambo, lie the ruins of several stone structures. The original
name and purpose are not known, but this site may predate the Inca Empire. Its proximity
to the ancient rock quarry of Cachiqata has inspired a theory that these
buildings once served as an administrative office, or perhaps as a school for
masons. Long before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 1530s, Andean stoneworkers
may have come here to learn the arts of toolmaking, stone-splitting and
shaping, as well as methods for transporting and setting these gigantic blocks.
In this video, I explore what is left of this complex and how it may have supported
construction activities at Cachiqata and Ollantaytambo.
My guide explained that this site is known by two names. The
first, Llaqtallaqtayoc, means “big place” or “big town.” However, judging by
the small size of this ruins, that name doesn’t seem to apply, unless it’s
actually a reference to nearby Ollantaytambo. Or maybe the name had been altered
over many centuries. Was it originally called “Llaqta camayoc,” which is
Quechua for “village administrator,” in reference to its role as the quarry’s
administrative office?
