Pukara (Sandia)

Pukara is an archaeological site located on a mountain approximately 4,200 meters high in the Andes of Peru, within the Puno Region, Sandia Province, and Patambuco District. Known for its pre-Inca origins, the site includes a fortress-like structure with defensive features, such as trenches, and a range of domestic and public structures, including houses, tombs, squares, and tunnels. The site's historical significance is underscored by its use as a funerary complex, earning it the name 'Trinchera', or trench, in Spanish. Declared a National Cultural Heritage of Peru, Pukara provides critical insight into pre-Inca societies in the region, reflecting their architectural ingenuity and cultural practices during the Early Post-Classical Period.