Choquequirao

Choquequirao is a 15th- and 16th-century settlement associated with the Inca Empire [1]. The site had two major growth stages [1]. Choquequirao is located in the area considered to be Pachacuti’s estate; which includes the areas around the rivers Amaybamba, Urubamba, Vilcabamba, Vitcos, and Apurímac [1]. After its abandonment in the late 16th century, Choquequirao was reclaimed by the dense Andean forest [1]. The archaeological complex of Choquequirao is divided into 12 sectors [1]. Stone lined channels carried ceremonial water, or chicha to shrines and baths throughout the site [1]. Archaeologists have documented twenty-five semi-naturalistic figures on the terraces of sector VIII of Choquequirao [1]. In 2004, archaeologist Zenobio Valencia from the University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco found several camelid figurines made of white stones in a group of terraces in one sector of the archaeological site [1].