According to research; the history of Pukara is divided into at least six major epochs, not counting the conquest by the Spanish. Epoch 1, the initial pre-Pukara occupation, which dates from about 1400 BC. Epoch 2, the middle pre-Pukara occupation, which is dated from 1400 - 850 BC based upon the Qaluyu and Chiripa ceramics found in the Northern and SouthWestern Basin. Epoch 3, the pre-Pukara to Pukara transition, which dates from about 850 - 200 BC based on ceramic cross - dating. Epoch 4, the classic Pukara phase, which dates from about 200 BC - AD 100. During this time period the Kalasaya was built and the earlier pyramid at the site was covered. Epoch 5, the Pukara / abandonment of the site, which is dated to about AD 100 based upon radiocarbon dating. Epoch 6- Then after being abandoned, Pucará was unoccupied until about AD 1250. Then it was occupied by the Qolla of the Northern Titicaca Basin. They occupied the terraces and slopes at the foot of Calvario Hill and Peñon. Then in about AD 1450 the Qolla kingdom was conquered by Inka Pachacuti and then later reconquered by Thupa Inka in AD 1471 after a Qolla rebellion. Researchers from the University of California at Santa Barbara in cooperation with INC have been doing a great amount of research of this area. They have an excellent web site regarding their research at: http://titicaca.ucsb.edu/pukara/ We of course, have had only a brief tour of the area and can only provide a few photos for your enjoyment. We visited this ruins on April 21, 2006 at 10:00AM.
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Since this trip is near Juliaca City, & Puno Peru; you have two choices of airports when planning to make the trip. One choice is Cusco, the other is Juliaca. The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (IATA: CUZ, ICAO: SPZO) is located in the city of Cusco, a city in southeastern Peru. Cusco, a principal tourist attraction in Latin America, receives various domestic flights as well as some international flights. Or you can fly into the Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (IATA: JUL, ICAO: SPJL), known as Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Cápac in Spanish, located in the city of Juliaca, thirty minutes from the city of Puno at Titicaca Lake. It is run by CORPAC S.A. (Corporación Peruana de Aeropuertos y Aviación Comercial S.A.), a government-run organization that oversees the management of Peruvian airports. Its runway is the longest in Latin America. While it is called International; it does not serve international flights! You can fly into Peru to the international airports located at Lima, Arequipa and Cusco. Then you can be flown into the Inca Manco Cápac International Airport. Then, you could stay at Juliaca or you can be transported from the airport of Juliaca, to the town of Puno in a taxi; with an average cost of about US $20; or in a minibuse, with an average cost of about US $5 per person. The leading hotels in Puno have transportation back to the airport. There are several Guided Tour Agencies offering standard city and archaeological tours of the areas of both Cusco, Puno, and Juliaca. Pucará is close to Juliaca so either Puno or Juliaca would be your best place to have a hotel. We suggest getting your hotel and then letting them arrange tours of the area for you. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We do this all the time. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem doing it this way! It is advisable to book reservations ahead of time, as hotels, especially in high season, are quickly booked up. We have links to Expedia.com on our page so that you can arrange your flight and hotel in Juliaca, Puno, or Cusco.
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| Pucará Archaeological Ruins Below Peñon Hill |
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| Pukara Site Sign | Pig Grazing On Site |
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| Colonial Church Ruins | Colonial Church Ruins |
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| Central Sunken Court Kidder Area VI Colonial Church In Background South Court Behind Church | Central Sunken Court Kidder Area VI Colonial Church In Background South Court Also Sunken |
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| Central Sunken Court Doorway Detail | Central Sunken Court Doors At Cardinal Directions |
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| Central Sunken Court Doors At Cardinal Directions | Central Sunken Court Doors At Cardinal Directions |
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| Local Birds | Qolla Terraces |
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| Qolla Terraces | Qolla Terraces |
