Casma is a city in the Ancash Region, Peru. It is located in the Casma Valley. Its surface
has 1 204,85 km².
Its
people venerate Santa Maria
Magdalena and its day is celebrated on July 22.
Some of
the largest prehistoric monuments around the world are situated in the Casma
Valley and in the Sechín Valley. The pyramid, main square, and circular sunken
courtyard complexes extend over one kilometer in length. In February 2008
archaeologists uncovered a ceremonial plaza which has been dated to 5,500 years
ago, making it one of the oldest structures ever found in the Americas.
Peru’s
most difficult climb, the Casma
– Huaraz route gains 4140 metres over a course of 112.3 kilometres.
The trail begins in Casma, Ancash at just 85 metres in altitude before the
long, tiresome ascent begins.
Mountain
bikers often struggle to complete this route so to make sure you are fully
prepared – have a read of a recommended training plan
History
Sechin Bajo archaeological site
German
and Peruvian archeologists work at the circular 5,500-year-old sunken
ceremonial plaza, built of stones and adobe, part of the Sechin Bajo
archaeological complex in Casma, Andes foothills, 330
kilometers (210 mi) northwest of Lima, Feb. 2008. The archeologists say
the plaza is the oldest known monument in Peru.
Chankillo archaeological site
The
Thirteen Towers of Chankillo (chanquillo) run north to south along a low ridge
within a fourth-century BCE architectural complex in the Casmas valley in north
coastal Peru. From hypothesized observing positions within nearby buildings to
the west and east, the towers form an artificial, toothed horizon that roughly
spans the annual rising and setting arcs of the Sun. The Chankillo towers are
interpreted as marking positions of the apparent annual solar movement along
the horizon, and as evidencing Sun cults, preceding the Sun pillars of Cusco by
almost two millennia.
Notes
The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo and their connection to the
rising and the setting arcs of the Sun has not been proven