Cerro Pátapo

Cerro Pátapo is an archaeological site near present-day Chiclayo in Peru which houses the remains of an entire prehistoric a city of the Wari Empire (Huari culture).

History of Cerro Pátapo

The Wari Empire, which ruled much of the Andes, had a presence in Peru from approximately 600 AD to 1100 AD and flourished in the area along the coast and reaching to the highlands. The Empire was known for its network of roads, and had a territory nearly as large as that of the later Inca Empire.

Only discovered in December 2008 (announced by lead archeologist Cesar Soriano), Cerro Pátapo was a vitally important find, creating a chronological connection between the Wari and the preceding Moche Empire, which existed from 100 AD to 600 AD. The ruins also present the first evidence of Wari influence (Huari culture) found in Northern Peru and show this was an important site.

Cerro Pátapo today

The site is remarkably well preserved due to the dry desert climate.

The Wari city at Cerro Pátapo stretches for approximately 3 miles and is believed to have been the site of human sacrifices. Amongst the finds at Cerro Pátapo, archaeologists found the remains of a woman as well as ceramic pieces and clothing.

Getting to Cerro Pátapo

The Cerro Pátapo ruins are located 14 miles east from Chiclayo, the principal city of the Lambayeque region in northern Peru, 8 miles inland from the Pacific coast. Peru’s captial, Lima, is 478 miles to the south.

From Chiclayo, it’s best to travel by car – the ruins are a 45 minute drive via LA-111 and Route 6A.