Huánuco Pampa, Huánuco Marka or Huánuco Viejo, Wanako Pampa, Wanuku Pampa or simply Huánuco is a large archaeological site in Peru in the Huánuco Region, Dos de Mayo Province, La Unión District. The ruins of the city lie on a plateau above the Urqumayu or Vizcarra River in the central Andes. The Incas administered their large empire through a small number of administrative centers, such as Huánuco Pampa. The administrative centers were linked by the extensive Inca road system. The most important of the roads, the Qhapaq Ñan, which ran from Cusco to Quito, passed through Huánuco Pampa. The Inca authorities in Huánuco ruled at least five, and perhaps more, ethnic groups. The city is situated on an important commercial trade route and sits on top of a plateau with ravines on all sides in order to allow easy defense of the city. During the Spanish conquest of the Incas, Huánuco Pampa was briefly occupied by Gomez de Alvarado, who founded a Spanish city but it was quickly moved to Pillco because of the harsh climate of Huánuco and the raids of Illa Tupac, one of the captains of Manco Inca.
Quadrangular walls of the Ushnu.
Partial view of Huánuco Pampa.
Trapezoidal door
The Inca road system was the most extensive and advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. It was about 40,000 kilometres (25,000 mi) long. The construction of the roads required a large expenditure of time and effort.
Extent of the Inca road system
Section of the Inca road
Cusco, Peru - plaque indicating the 4 directions of the 4 regions (suyus) of the Inca Empire
A view of the Inca road climbing a hillside at the Mosollaqta lake, Peru