Revash Mausoleums
Amazonas
The Revash Mausoleums, located at 2,800 meters above sea level in the Amazonas region of Peru, are a remarkable funerary complex attributed to the Chachapoyas culture. These mausoleums are built into natural or excavated caves along a narrow canyon wall, forming miniature village-like clusters of small housing structures. Each mausoleum has rectangular floors, often with one or two levels, and symbolic sloping roofs made of mud, sticks, and reeds, which were purely decorative since the cliff provided natural protection from weather. The walls are constructed from stones set in mud mortar and feature painted moldings with figures such as felines, camelids, people, and two-tone circles, alongside incised symbols like crosses and rectangles. These artistic elements link the mausoleums culturally to the region, although they show no Inca influences. The mausoleums served as collective burial sites for prestigious individuals, evidenced by the osseous remains found inside. The site was first studied in detail in the 20th century and reflects the funerary architecture known as chullpa, common in ancient Peru. Visitors today can appreciate the complex's architectural ingenuity and the cultural symbolism preserved in the rock art and construction.
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Consejo: Visitors should plan for a hike of approximately 1.5 hours uphill from the trailhead, which is accessible by a 20-minute drive from Hierba Buena. The best time to visit is during dry weather to ensure safer trail conditions. It is advisable to arrange transportation in advance and consider guided tours for deeper historical context. Tickets or permits may be required, so checking with local authorities or tour operators beforehand is recommended. No specific pricing details are provided, but discounts may be available for students or groups.
Datos interesantes
- •The mausoleums resemble miniature cliff-side villages, a rare architectural style in South America.
- •The symbolic sloping roofs were constructed with mud and reeds but served no practical weatherproofing function due to the natural cave protection.
- •The walls feature painted figures including felines, camelids, and two-tone circles, as well as incised crosses and rectangles with unknown symbolic meanings.
- •The mausoleums were collective burial sites for elite members of the Chachapoyas culture, not individual tombs.
- •The site shows architectural similarities to the cliff dwellings of Colorado, USA, though these similarities are coincidental.
Historia
The Revash Mausoleums date back to approximately the 14th century C.E.
and are associated with the Chachapoyas culture of northern Peru.
They represent a continuation of the chullpa funerary tradition prevalent during the Tiahuanaco-Huari period around 1000 C.E.
The site was first documented in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant archaeological study conducted by Henry and Paule Reichlen in the mid-20th century.
Over time, natural events such as roof collapses have helped protect some of the cultural remains by covering them.
Despite their antiquity, the mausoleums show no Inca influence, highlighting the distinct cultural identity of the Chachapoyas people.
Guía del lugar
Main Mausoleum Cluster14th century
A line of funeral houses built into the rocky canyon wall, featuring one- and two-story rectangular structures with side doors and painted decorative moldings. Visitors can observe the intricate stone and mud mortar construction and the symbolic roof shapes.
Rock Art and Wall Incisions14th century
Painted and incised symbolic figures on the mausoleum walls include felines, South American camelids, people, two-tone circles, crosses, and rectangles. These artworks provide insight into the spiritual beliefs of the Chachapoyas culture.
