Pachacamac (Quechua: Pachakamaq), located on the coast of Peru and 32 km south of Lima, was an important sacred site, oracle, and place of burial, which was visited by pilgrims of many ancient Andean cultures, including the Incas. The site, active for over 2,000 years, was named after the god of the same name (Pacha Kamaq) who was worshipped there and considered the ‘Maker of the Earth’ by coastal peoples.

In the 1890s archaeologists first began exploring Pachacamac. They found many enormous buildings and burial sites that had been previously looted. Thanks to german archaeologist Max Uhle and one of the founders of Peruvian archeology, Alexander Tell for starting the first exploration in Pachamac. His memorial plaque with a bronze bust stands right at the entrance to the complex and accessible to the visitors.

The first (sacred) section of the site includes temples of religious significance and a large cemetery. The second section includes several buildings which are mainly secular pyramids. In this complex of buildings, there were mud-brick stepped pyramids with ramps and plazas. These buildings are dated between the late 1300s and the mid-1400s.

After the collapse of the Huari Empire, Pachacamac continued to grow as a religious center for the Itchma and Inca culture. The majority of the common architecture and temples were built during this stage to receive hundreds of pilgrims who venerated the same god. The Inca built five additional buildings, including a temple of the sun on the main square.