Revisiting The Oracle Of Pachacamac In Peru
Since ancient times, ubiquitous to various cultures, humankind has sought to overcome that which they cannot control, such as healing mysterious afflictions and trying to predict the veiled future, by undertaking pilgrimages to consult oracles. For Andean cultures, Pachacamac was the magnet attracting pilgrims travelling from near and far to access this sacred, energetic center.
15th century Ychsma textile, from Peru’s central coast (CC0)
The Pachacamac complex, located 40 kilometers (24 miles) from Lima, is replete with temples, palaces, pyramids, plazas, causeways, storehouses and graveyards. Grave goods such as textiles and pottery originating from different cultures, attest to pilgrims travelling far to reach it. As many scholars have noted: Pachacamac has a Pan-Andean coding. As an oracle, ceremonial and pilgrimage complex, dating back about 1,800 years ago, it had a long run, flourishing for 1,300 years. To put it into perspective on a global landscape, in Rome around 200 AD Septimus Severus was emperor; in China, Cao Cao rose to power at the end of the Han Dynasty, and the Classic Age of Maya Civilization commenced. The planet was populated by around 300-million people.
