Pucará de Tilcara

Information

It is an archaeological site located in the Quebrada de Humahuaca (a ravine). It is about 500 metres south of the town of Tilcara, right where the Huasamayo River flows into the Grande River.

It is located on a 70 metre high hill, where you can see structures built with stone walls and thatched roofs. In the middle is the church where Inca religious ceremonies were held, and around it are the Necropolis and areas of dwellings, tombs and corrals.

In ancient times, it was initially occupied by the Tilcaras, who were one of the pre-Hispanic groups that inhabited the ravine. They were farmers and llama herders, and made woollen cloth and ceramic objects (many of which are now exhibited in museums in the area). Before the arrival of the Spaniards, there was a period when the Pucara was dominated by the Incas.