7 January, 2014

Tipón: Tribute to water

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The occupation of Tipón happened at around 1200 a.c. and it is believed that the first inhabitants belonged to the Wari Empire or to the Ayamarcas, a culture that lived in the valley of Cusco, located at about 20 km from Tipón. From this period remains the 6km of the defense wall that used to surround it. It was Pachacutec who 200 years later transformed it into the complex as we know it today.

Located in the province of Quispicanchis, the archeological park of Tipón is one of the less frequented by tourists, despite its spectacular architecture. It counts with 13 imperial-style platforms, made with pink granite. The urban sectors include areas for the nobility, the priests, the people of ayllu and collcas, and storage centers.
 
The constructions occupied by the nobility and the priests were finely crafted with the typical trapezoidal niche, very characteristic of the Inca architecture. We found a great ceremonial plaza surrounded by fountains and, on the top of the neighboring hill the intihuatana, an astronomical observatory.
TIPON2
 
 Once again, it stands out in Tipón the great knowledge Inca architects had about hydraulic control of river water through the use of aqueducts. It is also believed that the place was an agricultural research centre, given the various microclimates of the valley.
 
It is not difficult to get to this archaeological site from Cusco city. It is accessible by public transport or by hiring a travel agency.