Wichqana

Type site of a complex of the Ayacucho Valley, central highlands Peru, c 1200-800 BC (Early Horizon), a ceremonial center with Chavinoid features. The pottery, typically thin, brown, and pebble-polished with little or no decoration, has Paracas and Chavín affinities. The U-shaped ceremonial structure is built of stones of alternating size, similar to Cerro Secchin. Skulls of decapitated females have the fronto-occipital flattening typical of Chavín.

A site in the Ayacucho province of the central highlands of Peru. Dating to the beginnings of the Early Horizon, it is probably antecedent to Chavin. The U-shaped ceremonial structure has no examples of carved stone, but is built of stones of alternating size in a similar manner to Cerro Secchin. Skulls of decapitated females having the fronto-occipital flattening typical of Chavin have been found, and bear witness to the practice of ritual sacrifice. Pottery is typically thin, brown, pebble-polished with little or no decoration.