Sayhuite (Sigh-weetey) is an

archaeological site An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...

east of the city

Abancay Abancay (from Quechua language: Hamanqay, Amanqay, or Amankay, meaning ''lily'') is a city in southern-central Peru. It is the capital of both the Apurímac Region and the Abancay Province, and serves an important cultural, economic, and polit ...

, about 3 hours away from the city of Cusco, in the province

in the region Apurímac in

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

. The site is regarded as a center of religious worship for Inca people, focusing on water. In the ''Monuments of the Inca'' by John Hemming, Hemming points to a colonial narrative that describes the interior of the Sayhuite temple. The temple featured larger columns draped in fabrics with gold bands the "thickness of one's hand." The temple was also under the care of the priestess Asarpay, who jumped to her death in the nearby 400 meter gorge to avoid capture by Spanish forces.

Monolith

An important feature on the site is the Sayhuite

monolith A monolith is a geological feature consisting of a single massive stone or rock, such as some mountains. For instance, Savandurga mountain is a monolith mountain in India. Erosion usually exposes the geological formations, which are often ma ...

, an enormous rock containing more than 200

geometric Geometry (; ) is, with arithmetic, one of the oldest branches of mathematics. It is concerned with properties of space such as the distance, shape, size, and relative position of figures. A mathematician who works in the field of geometry is ca ...

and

zoomorphic The word ''zoomorphism'' derives from the Greek ζωον (''zōon''), meaning "animal", and μορφη (''morphē''), meaning "shape" or "form". In the context of art, zoomorphism could describe art that imagines humans as non-human animals. It c ...

figures, including reptiles, frogs, and felines. Found at the top of a hill named Concacha, the stone was sculpted as a topographical hydraulic model, complete with terraces, ponds, rivers, tunnels, and irrigation channels. The functions or purposes of the stone are not known, but researcher Dr. Arlan Andrews, Sr. believes the monolith was used as a scale model to design, develop, test, and document the water flow for public water projects, and to teach ancient engineers and technicians the concepts and practices required. The rock was "edited" several times, with new material, either altering the paths of the water or adding routes altogether. About two meters long, and four meters wide, the monolith is the most popular attraction on the

Significance of the Monolith

While the creators remain a mystery, the monolith provides archaeologists with insight into the culture of the pre-Columbian population. Archaeologists have determined that the site was an Incan religious center, where rituals and ceremonies for the worship of water was conducted. The monolith is an important clue to this, since it depicts a water-like flow between the carvings. Archaeologist Gary Urton states that "Carvings in its upper part represent terraces, irrigation canals, pumas, and other animals, such as lizards." and that it may be a symbolic representation of the valley. While the precise meaning of this stone remains unsolved, the monolith is part of the material culture of the Incan people, and as such helps archaeologists piece together how and why they lived this way. Understanding the Incan culture from an archaeological perspective helps archaeologists apply this knowledge to similar civilizations and find links between ancient cultures.

Tourism

Because of its size and intricate carvings, the monolith is a popular site for tourists. A possible explanation of the intricate carvings is that the stone depicts a religious ritual, possibly associated with water, that the ancient Incas performed. Encouraging tourists to examine this monolith is important, since it raises the awareness about the archaeological record and the importance preservating

material culture Material culture is the aspect of social reality grounded in the objects and architecture that surround people. It includes the usage, consumption, creation, and trade of objects as well as the behaviors, norms, and rituals that the objects crea ...

Importance of Preservation

Preserving the site of Sayhuite and the monolith is crucial, because archaeology is a destructive process. In addition, looting is a common problem at archaeological sites and can hinder the analysis performed by archaeologists of past peoples and culture. Preserving the archaeological site of Sayhuite includes leaving parts of the site unexcavated and protecting the monolith from vandalism and erosion. To protect the archaeological site from vandalism and looting, education of the general public is crucial. This creates ways for the public to get involved in a significant part of history and raises awareness for the importance of preservation in the field of archaeology. Preserving the site allows for a chance for new technological advances, which would aid in archaeologists’ study of the site and could possibly help them understand the meaning of the monolith to a greater extent and with more accuracy.

References

{{Archaeological sites in Peru Archaeology of Peru Archaeological sites in Apurímac Region Archaeological sites in Peru