July 25, 2008

 
   

That is an archaeological group found towards the east of Saqsaywaman, at an altitude of 3600 mts. (11800 ft.); over a protrusion of the Yunkaypata limestone formation that was formed in the Cretaceous about 80 million years ago. Limestone is a sedimentary rock with marine origins, found here because in prehistoric times the Qosqo Valley was a huge lake named Morkill that on its eastern side went as far as Angostura. The rock surface is very irregular and known as "karstic landscape" that is formed due to the dissolution by water of calcium carbonate concentrations contained in the rock.

The original name of that site is lost and the current one seems to have been used since the XIX century. Q'enqo is a Quechua word that means "labyrinth", "twisted" or "zigzag". This must be one of the 365 adoratories that should have existed in the Qosqo Valley. Presides this site the "plaza" or open space that many call "amphitheater" that served in order to carry out different ceremonies in presence of their idols and mummies that occupied the 19 trapezoidal niches that are partially destroyed today. Those niches were high enough to let a person stand up inside, this is why it is suggested that they also served to keep the Wayke of noble people (wayke = brother); that is, human shaped idols in natural sizes and made in precious metals that according to local belief contained the spirits of the represented persons. In front of the niches there is an enormous Sacred Rock that because of its location must have had a special meaning; it has a base of well carved stones in which two rows are missing. Scholars suggest that this rock was an impressive sculpture having the shape of one of the Inkan Gods; perhaps that of a feline or a snake. But, as it was a god for the Quechuas, it was totally broken and deformed when Spaniards performed the sadly famous " Idolatries Extirpation"; by which they destroyed everything opposing Christianity and having any relationship with Inkan Religion. Some audacious people do not hesitate arguing that this sculpture was a phallic symbol.