Huaca San Borja

May 1st, 2009

Part of the Lima PreColombina series

It was not as important or majestic as the other huacas that once stood nearby, specifically those of the grand Limatambo not far away, but at least it breaks the mould of the modern district of San Borja, a district only a little more than 30 years old, built over the farm land that once surrounded this, the Huaca San Borja.

Huaca San Borja

Huaca San Borja

Located on Avenida Canada where it meets Avenida de la Arqueología, not far from Avenida San Luis, this pyramidal structure’s age outstrips everything else in San Borja, save the río surco, by at least 500 years. It was built by the Ichma, the culture that inhabited the valley after Wari influence faded and before the Incas arrived, between 900A.D. and 1470A.D.

Being such a minor religious and administrative site probably played some part in its survival during the Spanish colonial era, and being out in the middle of nowhere, in what was farmland until just 40 years ago, is why it is still here today to be preserved and studied.

As seen on a sunny day

As seen on a sunny day

Found in the middle of urban sprawl

Found in the middle of urban sprawl

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