File number:- pba0120

© South American Pictures/ Kathy Jarvis

Peru. Choquequirao is a late Inca site at 3000m /9840 ft overlooking the Apurimac river on the western side of the Vilcabamba range. The name is derived from local words Choque - meaning unrefined gold and k'irau to swing as in a cradle. The building is to an Inca plan with trapezoidal niches and stone lintels. The stonework is of a different style using thinner stones and in places a mud mortar. The walls are inclined slightly towards the central patio.