The Huaca del Dragon, also called ''Huaca del Arco Iris'' is an
archeological site
An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and ...
located in the
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal
, national_motto = "Fi ...
vian city of
Trujillo, near
Chan Chan
Chan Chan was the largest city of the pre-Columbian era in South America. It is now an archaeology, archaeological site in La Libertad Region west of Trujillo, Peru.
Chan Chan is located in the mouth of the Moche Valley and was the capital of ...
. It is a large religious monument, administrative and ceremonial center. It is constructed of adobe, with murals decorated with
friezes
In architecture, the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Paterae are also usually used to decorate friezes. Even when neither columns nor ...
in relief showing human figures and representing a
rainbow
A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicoloured circular arc. Rainbows c ...
.
Description
Upon entering the Huaca a ramp leads to the first level. Figures carved on the walls take the form of a dragon (hence its name). Another ramp, smaller than the first, leads to the second level. This level hosts pits, which were possibly used to store food.
See also
*
Iperu, tourist information and assistance
*
Tourism in Peru
Since the 2000s, Tourism in Peru makes up the nation's third largest industry, behind fishing and mining. Tourism is directed towards archaeological monuments, ecotourism in the Peruvian Amazon, cultural tourism in colonial cities, gastronomi ...
*
Huaca del Sol
The Huaca del Sol is an adobe brick pyramid built by the Moche civilization (100 AD to 800 AD) on the northern coast of what is now Peru. The pyramid is one of several ruins found near the volcanic peak of Cerro Blanco, in the coastal deser ...
*
Chan Chan
Chan Chan was the largest city of the pre-Columbian era in South America. It is now an archaeology, archaeological site in La Libertad Region west of Trujillo, Peru.
Chan Chan is located in the mouth of the Moche Valley and was the capital of ...
*
Huaca Esmeralda
The Huaca La Esmeralda is an archaeological building belonging to the Chimu culture, is located in the Peruvian city of Trujillo. It is estimated that the adobe construction was done during the first stage of development of the Chimu culture, in ...
*
Chimu
Chimor (also Kingdom of Chimor or Chimú Empire) was the political grouping of the Chimú culture. The culture arose about 900 AD, succeeding the Moche culture, and was later conquered by the Inca emperor Topa Inca Yupanqui around 1470, fifty y ...
*
Chotuna-Chornancap
References
Further reading
* Kubler, George. (1962). ''The Art and Architecture of Ancient America'', Ringwood: Penguin Books Australia Ltd., pp. 247–274
External links
Location of Huaca del Dragón in Trujillo (Wikimapia)Attractions in Trujillo, PeruUNESCO World Heritage Center: Chan ChanChan Chan information Heavy Rains Threaten Ancient City in Northern PeruArchaeologists Restore High Adobe Walls in Ancient Chimu City of Chan Chan
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Former populated places in Peru
Archaeological sites in Trujillo, Peru
Archaeological sites in Peru