History of the excavation

   In 1946 a group of Dr.Tello's disciples unearthed more than 5 stone sculptures and a special tomb associated with fine gold ornaments. Since then, however, no scientific research had been attempted until in 1988 

the Archaeological Mission of the University of Tokyo began the systematic excavation. Special tombs with gold objects were found in 1989, 90 and 97, bringing to the light the earliest masterpieces of the Andean history of gold art. The excavation continued until 2003 and revealed the process of temple activity in four phases.

The chronology and architecture of Kuntur Wasi

   It is during “The Idol Phase” (1100-800B.C.) that the hill of Kuntur Wasi was converted into a ceremonial center with platforms and plazas. This phase shared many cultural characteristics with other sites around Cajamarca city as well as in the middle Jequetepeque valley.

   The next phase was “The Kuntur Wasi Phase” (800-500B.C.). A completely new ceremonial complex was constructed. The top of the hill was surrounded by stepped retaining walls of huge stones and the central stairway, 11 meters wide, was set on the main façade. The principal buildings were arranged to form a U-shaped temple in which several stone sculptures called “monolito” were placed.

   The following phase was “The Copa Phase” (550-250B.C.) Although the U-shaped temple complex continued, a series of modification was noticed in the backyard of the main temple. The circular sunken court was filled upon which a rectangular plaza was constructed. A small U-shaped temple was built facing to the south, complex of Temple U opened toward the south and a staircase was added above the retaining walls of the south side.

   The last phase was “The Sotera Phase”(250-50 B.C.). It resembles “The Layzón Phase” in the Cajamarca valley. It seems that the people of the Sotera phase payed no respect to the preceding religious tradition and totally destroyed the buildings. The front façade was also covered with stones and soil. Kuntur Wasi ceased to be as a ceremonial center. 

The Museum exhibits many precious objects excavated at Kuntur Wasi. There are gold objects as crowns, nose and ear ornaments, and others, while the variety of pottery cannot be less apreciated. Forma and decorative devices are really geneous, full of originality and creativity of ancient Andean people.

Investigation of the Japanese

   A question has been asked many times: why did the Japanese archaeologists come to excavate Kuntur Wasi? In late 1950s an interest in the study of origin of civilizations was aroused among the archaeologists, anthropologists and historians of the University of Tokyo. Seiichi Izumi, anthropologist, organized a research team and came to Peru in 1958 and began the intensive excavation at Kotosh site near Huanuco city in the north-central highland, discovering the Temple of the Crossed Hands dated around 2500 B.C. and other new facts totally unknown until then for the earliest part of the Andean civilization.

   From 1979 to 1988 a new team under Kazuo Terada excavated several sites like Huacaloma, Layzon and some others to widen and deepen the study of the early history in Cajamarca. After the excavation at Cerro Blanco near San Pablo town, the necessity of the excavation at Kuntur Wasi became obvious, and it began and continued to 2003 in 12 seasons under direction of Yoshio Onuki and Yasutake Kato. Special tombs with gold and other important discoveries were followed, leading the study toward consideration of the relationship between the coast and highlands as one of the prime movers for the development of the Andean civilization. Today, many Japanese specialists are working in different sites both in the highlands and in the coastal regions to advance the study.

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Treasure of Kuntur Wasi