About 1450 years ago, a metropolis grew on a hill
along a route through the Andes. The center of the city was dominated by a
religious ceremonial center, with houses surrounding. Large, multi-story
buildings were scattered throughout the city, set up in walled off compounds.
Manmade subterranean tunnels were was also found within the city.
The city lasted about 250 years, during which time it became the center
of it's own empire, which populated the surrounding valleys, creating
irrigation systems to create new land for crops, whi
le militarily expanding it's
borders into already populated areas. During their expansion, the Wari are
thought to have developed many of the early roadways through the Andes, which
were necessary to maintain military expansion. The Wari people developed their
own pottery style (shown to the right) and art which was still popular long
after the demise of the empire.
Wari (AKA Hauri), were an important city from 1450 BP - 1200 BP. It was
established during the Huarpa Phase of the Middle Horizon, and was an important
center of culture during the Chakipampa and Viñaque Phases. The city of
Wari is located deep in the Andes, on a
hill overlooking the Mantaro River of south-central Peru. The site's location
was along a critical trade route
from the inland side of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, which is
a big part of the Wari's success in becoming the capital of an empire. The site
is extensive, covering nearly 10 square kilometers. The original purpose of the
center of the city was as a ceremonial center, with dwellings surrounding it.
Within the city are a number of compounds surrounded by stone walls. Inside
these compounds are the remains of two and three story dwellings. Beneath parts
of the city are a complex system of subterranean tunnels. The occupants of Wari
are defined as a culture of their own, because they were the center of an
empire of the time. They had their own ceramic style and distinct art style
which could still be found decades after their demise.
Scarre, Christopher & Brian Fagan. Ancient Civilizations.
Christopher Scarre and The Lindbriar Corp, 1997.
Willey, Gordon. An
Introduction to American Archaeology Volume II, South America. Prentice-Hall,
1971.