Chulpa funeral towers and kulkas discovered on Royal Inca Road above tree line. Small Chulpa towers served as funeral towers for nobility, larger ones called kulkas were food storage houses Site located along the Kapakyan (Royal Inca Road) running from Cusco to the Amazon jungle Most Chulpa towers in Peru are found near Lake Titicaca; this location is unusual as an outlier
Exploring Peru's Royal Inca Road above tree line, we found unexpected Chulpa burial towers for nobility alongside larger kulkas for food storage. Most Chulpas are near Lake Titicaca, but these sit along the Capakanyan road running from Cusco to the Amazon jungle. Local name? Nina Mara, meaning fire. Construction quality is less refined than at Silustani and Cutimbo. An intriguing outlier in Inca death and storage practices.
Key Facts
- Small Chulpa towers served as funeral towers for nobility, larger ones called kulkas were food storage houses
- Site located along the Kapakyan (Royal Inca Road) running from Cusco to the Amazon jungle
- Most Chulpa towers in Peru are found near Lake Titicaca; this location is unusual as an outlier
- The structures are less well-made compared to those at Silustani and Cutimbo near Lake Titicaka
- Nina Mara means 'fire place' in the local language
Source: Exploration Of Ancient Watoqto In Peru by Brien Foerster