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Photo: Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archeological site in Ecuador
Cochasquí is an archaeological site located in the northern Ecuadorian Highlands, in the Pichincha province. It lies in the slopes of mount Mojanda, an inactive volcano, 52 km north of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. The site rests at at 3,040 metres (9,970 ft) above sea level. It is known for its 15 truncated pyramids with access ramps and its at least 15 earthen mounds. It was built by the Caranqui people during the Integration period, between 1250 and 1550 AD. In its heyday, there would have been a big town around the mound complex. This kind of site with monumental truncated pyramids and earthen mounds are common in the northern Ecuadorian highlands, where there are many other known examples dating to the same period. However, Cochasquí is outstanding among them due to their size of its pyramids. It is thought that the pyramids would have been temples used for all kinds of ceremonies. In fact, the site still keeps its ceremonial importance until today, because nearby indigenous communities gather on the site to celebrate major holly days of the Andean cultures, like the Mushak Nina or the Inti Raymi.
