The Creator God Pachacámac and the Oracle at Pachacámac

In the far southern end of the Greater Lima area, a sprawling complex of adobe pyramids was once home to the most respected oracle in the Andes. Even the last of the pre-Columbian people, the Inca, came here, as had thousands of followers before them for countless centuries, to pay tribute and for consultation on important matters and decisions. Indeed, in the Quechua language Pachacámac means among others “Lord of the World.” 

 

The major temples at Pachacamac near the coast of the Pacific Ocean and the Lurin River

 

Despite its great age, most of its structures and constructions can still be distinguished in very good condition. So far, Archeologists have identified at least 17 pyramids, several temples, frescos, and a cemetery. The most iconic temples at the ancient archaeological site, besides the Main Temple (Temple of the Sun), are Templo Viejo and Templo Pintado. This sprawling complex of adobe pyramids called Pachacámac was once home to the most respected religious leader or oracle throughout the Andes. Even the great Inca during its far-flung empire, came here for consultation on important decisions.

In the 1890s that archaeologists began to discover this incredible historical site. To-date they have identified 17 pyramids, several temples, frescos, and a cemetery, which citadel, with its leaders and oracle, dominated the fertile Valley of the Lurin River and the well-known vast ceremonial center atop the hill. When the Spanish conquerors arrived, they were dumbfounded at the magnificence and the amazing appearance and construction of the expanded city that was built as an important center of power along the central coast.

Entirely built with adobe mud bricks, it ranked together with Cusco among the main religious centers of pre-Hispanic Peru. Pilgrims from the most remote places arrived there to pay homage to the God Pachacámac (Pacha Kamaq), which is named after the Quechua word creator or “Creator of the World” or Universe.” The site covers 68 square miles and includes palaces, squares and carefully restored temples and was a pan-regional religious center whose origins remain little known, though it was built long before the Lima Culture and those who preceded it, and was at the time of the Spanish considered the most beautiful city in the Hispanic world.

Max Uhle, a reputed German archeologist, discovered what he called a temple of an early period whose facade was painted in red. This temple is today called the Old Temple. Uhle´s findings, especially pottery and textiles, feature motifs from the Highlands, which in many cases are of clear High Plateau inspiration. Another construction was named the Painted Temple the name coming from the remains of the frescoes on its walls.

The majesty of Pachacamac built on the top of a hill or rise overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the southern end of the Greater Lima area

 

The temple-palaces are reminiscent of Near and Middle East ziggurats and known as “ramp pyramids” that date back two millennia before Christ. Fifteen of these so called “provincial temples” have been identified. They were the fruit of the effort of several central coast peoples’ efforts to legitimize their belonging to a surprisingly prestigious religion. The coexistence of temples from different generations during this time and the presence of offerings coming from coastal areas contribute to the hypothesis that Pachacámac functioned as an oracle (European chronicler of the sixteenth century narrate that the supreme deity was the Earth god Ichma). When the Incas settled in the central Coast, they acknowledged its power and effectively included it in their pantheon of Deities within their expansionist policies. 

Entrance to the Temple of the Sun, or main temple at Pachacamac

 

The temple was built on the summit of the rocky hill: the imposing Temple of the Sun. From it we can observe the ceremonial center to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west (as well as two small nearby islands). As a whole, Pachacámac represents one of the most important hubs in the long, complex and dynamic process of Andean regional integration.

It was the most important pilgrimage center in ancient Peru. Its central location brought the Moche, Nazca, Huari, Itchma, and Inca cultures, including from the highlands and deep forests. They came to worship in the Lurin Valley where it meets the Pacific Ocean in the far southern end of the Greater Lima area. The Inca referred to Pachacámac as sacred and part of the mystical axis of the world. In fact, there was an image of the deity, Pachacámac, which couldn’t be seen by the laypeople or profane, and was reserved for the high priests who kept, revered and interpreted the divine oracle in the temple.

Entrance to Pachacamac with the “Old Temple” beyond

 

The term “oracle” had two meaning relevant to the Nephites: 1) A priest acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in antiquity; 2) The sanctuary or most holy place in the temple, in which was deposited the ark of the covenant.

The similarities between the Pachacámac temple in Peru and the surrounding complex with the Nephite religion and temple in the city of Nephi are quite obvious:

1. People traveled to Pachacámac to pay tribute; Nephites paid their tithes and offerings at the temple.

2. The people called God “Pachacámac,” meaning the “Creator of the World and of all things”; The Nephites knew God as creating the world and all things.”

3. In the complex of Pachacámac there was an image of the deity called Pachacámac—

which couldn’t be seen by the lay people, and was reserved for the high priests who kept, revered and interpreted the divine oracle in the old times; In the temple Nephi built, patterned after Solomon’s temple, only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies

4. The temple at Pachacámac was called the “Temple of the Sun”; The Nephites built their temple for the “Son.”

5. People came from the most remote places to visit Pachacámac; Nephites traveled from their lands to worship at the temple in the city of Nephi.

6. Near and Middle East people built ziggurats of which Lehi and Nephi would have been familiar—Nephi’s temple may have been built in the same manner, called a stepped pyramid.

7. Pachacámac had a Spiritual Leader called an Oracle; Nephites had a Spiritual Leader called a High Priest

8. Pachacámac was built on the summit of a hill, or in the highest ground along the coast; God’s people have always built their temples on the tops of mountains, hills, and high ground. 

9. The overall complex of Pachacámac contained temple and palaces; The Nephites in the city of Nephi built a spacious palace next to the temple.

10. The Oracle at Pachacámac interpreted God’s will for the people; The High Priest among the Nephiters had the Urim and Thummim to interpret for the people.