Hi everyone! I´m currently in Lima in a super hot internet bodega across the street from my house. Today is day 9 of my travels and it’s my birthday!! I am back from Sechin Peru, and I hear there is a surprise party planned for me, not much of a surprise anymore I guess, but regardless it should be a ton of fun. I will continue where I left off last, in Casma visiting the ancient ruins of Sechin.
Thursday March 13th – Sechin Peru
Sechin Peru, though smaller in scale compared to other Peruvian archaeological wonders, is a treasure trove of history nestled in the heart of the Casma Province. Just a stone’s throw away from the Sechín River, this ancient marvel from the Early Formative period, spanning 2000-1500 BC, beckons with tales of a bygone era. The centerpiece of Sechin Alto, the “Templo”, stands tall and proud, its pyramidal silhouette casting long shadows over the land. This architectural behemoth, stretching a good 350m by 300m and towering at 35m, is a patchwork of meticulously placed embankments and walls, each stone narrating a chapter of its storied past.
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But Sechin’s allure doesn’t end with its majestic “Templo”. Surrounding it are five sprawling courts, some bearing the marks of sunken circular courts, whispering secrets of ceremonies from ages past. And as you wander further, smaller structures beckon, each aligned with the main axes, each holding its own mysteries. Though many of these areas now bear the marks of agriculture, they remain a silent testament to the lives and times of their ancient inhabitants.
Beyond the confines of Sechin Alto, the land is dotted with other relics of history. Not far off is Cerro Sechin, its stone walls etched with tales of “warrior-priests” and their conquests. Dating back to 1,500-2,000 BC, this site, with its intricate stone reliefs, is a window into a different epoch. As the largest of the four primary sites in the vicinity, Sechin Alto might have once been the beating heart of the entire Sechin cultural realm, its stories echoing through the sands of time.
Here are a couple of pictures so you get a better idea of what the exterior of the compound looks like.
Maycol and I have become pretty effective at flagging down vehicles by now. I have to say that our best technique, although I don´t really recommend it, is to just lie in the middle of the road and wait for a car to stop.
From Sechin we headed out to a beach about half an hour away from Casma on the western coast of Peru called La Playa de la Tortugas or Turtle Beach in English. The beach was pretty empty being that it was a weekday and also the evening. We walked around and admired the beautiful setting, the beach being wedged between two large mountains. The beach itself is small and looks like a turtle hence its name. We strolled the peaceful beach and sat down to drink some Brahman at a small restaurant while we waited for some transportation to bring us back to Casma.
That night was our last in Casma and we celebrated it by going out with my cousins to a discoteca. We toasted the night away with 12 jars of beer and danced the night away. I was surprised how many people were out considering it was a weekday. But if Peru is known for one thing it is its love of partying.
In the morning we caught a small collectivo to Chimbote, a town about two hours away from Casma and a transportation hub. From there we took a larger bus to the city of Trujillo, arriving in the afternoon.
I´ll leave it at here for now, I´m leaving for Huacachina, Pisco and Ica tomorrow. I´ll try to post some birthday pictures and continue from Trujillo over the weekend, Chau!
March 12th, 2008 – Casma, Peru <——–> March 14th, 2008 – Trujillo Peru
Founder of Karikuy, an organization in Peru that brings travelers to visit and explore the country. Julio also runs the Karikuy Volunteer program and is the editor of this blog. Julio likes to write about his adventures in Peru as well as Peruvian folklore, mysteries and secluded locations.
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Julio C. Tellohttps://www.karikuy.com/author/julio/
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Julio C. Tellohttps://www.karikuy.com/author/julio/
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Julio C. Tellohttps://www.karikuy.com/author/julio/
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Julio C. Tellohttps://www.karikuy.com/author/julio/
