3114) "The Inca Temple of the Sun" Vilcashuamán or Vilcasguaman (from Quechua Willka Waman meaning "Sacred Hawk"), Peru: "Riqueza y Orgullo del Peru” ("Wealth and Pride of Peru Coin Series"): A 1 (One) Sol Coin showcases the legendary Temple Complex: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2012:
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru in 2013 unveiled the design for one-sol coins, the tenth of the numismatic series called “Riqueza y Orgullo del Peru” ("Wealth and Pride of Peru").
The "Wealth and Pride of Peru" series first began in 2010 with the issue of the Golden Tumi as its motif.
Successive coins were issued such as the Karajia Sarcophagi, the Estela de Raimondi, the Chullupas of Sillustani, Machu Picchu, the Monastery of Santa Catalina, the Saywite Stone, the Great Pajaten, the Real Felipe Fortress, and the Temple of Vilcashuamán, and the Ruins of Kuntur Wasi.
This design features the Inca Temple of Huaytara in the central-eastern region of Huancavelica.
This is the tenth coin launched in this one-sol series which will include 26 unique designs reflecting Peru’s history and traditions.
Vilcashuamán or Vilcasguaman (from Quechua Willka Waman meaning "Sacred Hawk"):
This is the capital of Vilcas Huamán Province, Ayacucho region, Peru.
Vilcashuamán is located in the district of the same name, province of Cangallo, 80 kilometers Southeast of the city of Ayacucho, department of Ayacucho, in southern Peru, on the left bank of the Pampas River at 3,490 meters above sea level, on the Eastern slope of the Andes. It is located on an ancient archaeological site.
Vilcashuamán was an Inca Administrative centre, established after the Incas conquered the Chancas and the Pocras.
The Chronicler Pedro Cieza de León mentions that Vilcashuamán was home to around 40,000 people.
The city was located around a large plaza where ceremonies involving sacrifices were performed, usually camelids or libation of corn wine.
Around this plaza were the city's two most important buildings - the "Sun Temple" ("Templo del Sol") and the "Ushnu" which remain to this day.
It is believed that the city had the shape of a falcon, in which the Ushnu was located in the head.
The Ushnu is a truncated pyramid which is accessed through a double doorjamb, characteristic of the most important compounds.
In its upper platform is a large stone with unique carvings that is known as the "Seat of the Inca" ("Asiento del Inca") - this seat, according to Cieza de León, was once covered with gold leaf.
Vilcashuaman - the great INCA complex of Ayacucho:
In less than 100 years, the INCAs took over a vast empire in which they left scattered, throughout the length and breadth of all of Peru, beautiful architectural works that can be seen to this day.
One of these places is Vilcashuamán, the main Inca archaeological complex that one can find in Ayacucho, in southern Peru.
Clearly, the Inca Empire went beyond Cusco.
Vilcashuamán is an important INCA city that was built in the capital of its mythical rival, the "Chanca Confederation", in Ayacucho.
It was built at the time of the Incas Tupac Yupanqui and Huayna Capac and was one of the most important administrative centres of Tahuantinsuyo.
As head of the province, it housed up to 30,000 men as a garrison.
The great wealth contained in its deposits, the beauty of its architecture and its strategic location on the Qhapaq Ñan route or the Inca royal road aroused the interest of the Spanish conquerors, who knew of its existence from the first moments of their arrival.
How did the Vilcashuamán archaeological complex come into existence:
The Ayacucho region has been the stage for the development of various Peruvian cultures.
Before the "Incas" arrived, the "Chancas" were here, a culture that is characterised for having fought energetically against the Inca empire.
But their fight came to an end in 1438, when the Incas, led by Pachacútec, defeated the Chancas, turning the region into a veritable butcher shop, and took over all their territory.
Although Ayacucho does not have such powerful Inca traces this was one of the most important administrative centres of the "Tahuantinsuyo" (or "Inca Empire") - the archaeological complex of Vilcashuamán, a word that in Quechua means “sacred falcon”.
According to the history of Peru, the Inca Pachacútec ordered the construction of this building after defeating the Chancas and thus demonstrating the power of his entire empire.
Thus, Vilcashuamán served as a main point on the Qapaq Ñan (Inca Trail) route and also as a Temple to worship the sun and a place from which to spread the Quechua language to the entire Tahuantinsuyo.
Vilcashuamán became a true work of art of Inca architecture. It has the typical characteristics of the buildings erected by this culture - a trapezoidal plaza, temples dedicated to the sun and the moon, and a sacred throne. Its buildings are totally imposing to this day!
The site has three important relics from the past
i) -Trapezoidal Square:
Ths is one of the main characteristics of its Inca architecture.
The one in Vilcashuamán was built for different purposes.
On the one hand, being such a large space, it served to house around 20,000 people, making it ideal for housing the large army that accompanied the INCA Kings on their travels.
Human and animal sacrifices were also made here, on a rock that is still preserved - the sacrificial stone.
ii) - The Sun Temple:
In the Southern part of the Trapezoidal Plaza is what was the most important construction of the entire archaeological complex of Vilcashuamán.
It is the "Temple of the Sun", a place dedicated to the powerful God of the Incas - the Inti.
Next to it are other places of interest such as the Temple of the Moon.
With the Spanish conquest, Vilcashuamán also suffered the imbecility/ignorance of the Spanish.
As in other places in Latin America, the conquistadors thought that a tremendous treasure was found here and looted this place, with special zeal for the Temple of the Sun.
After causing serious damage to this sacred building of the Incas, they in their ignorance/intolerance of other religions/cultures built the Church of San Juan Bautista, in the name of Christ, which is still standing today, and were instrumental in destroying a historical structure which held answers to the mysteries of the INCA culture.
iii) - Ushnu:
As in many other Inca citadels, the highest ruler of this culture liked to have his throne from which he could control everything that happened and witness the ceremonies.
In Vilcashuamán this place for the Inca is the "Ushnu", a pyramid with five platforms on which was an armchair carved in stone and with gold plates.
Behind the Ushnu is a building that, was the palace of Pachacútec, a construction that reflects the great quality of Inca architecture.
The Commemorative Coin:
Inscribed towards the upper periphery is the inscription - "TEMPLO DEL SOL - S.XV.dC". Vertically engraved is seen "NEUVO SOL".
The specifications of the One Sol Coin are:
Country of issue: Republic of Peru; Coin Series Theme: "Riqueza y Orgullo del Peru” ("Wealth and Pride of Peru Coin Series"); Coin Theme: "Vilcashuamán Temple Complex Templo Del Sol (Temple of the Sun)"; Coin Quality: Circulation Commemorative Coin; Date/Year of Coin issue: 2012; Denomination of Coin: 1 (One Nuevo Sol); Metal Composition: Nickel-brass; Weight: 7.32 grams; Diameter/Size: 25.5 mm; Thickness: 1.9 mm; Minted By: National Mint House; Mint Mark: LIMA; Mintage: 10.00 Million pieces; Shape: Round; Technique: Milled; Orientation/Coin alignment: ↑↓; Edge: Reeded.
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Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
DeleteRaj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Colonialism destroyed a number of civilisations. One of them was INCA . Informative article 💐"
Very true Raj.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Nice informative post👍👍"
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
Delete