The Chen Chen Geoglyphs

The geoglyphs are located at 1500 meters. towards the southeast of the center of the city of Moquegua, on a small chain of hills in an east-west direction, between 1474 and 1534 m.a.s.l. We can get there with easy access along Tacna Street, passing Mirador Park, then through Villa Francia, the Binational Highway and then taking the road to Toquepala, to a signaling wall, from where you can see the best preserved set of geoglyphs of the whole context. Upon the arrival of the Tiwanaku from the highlands to these valleys, around the year 500 AD, the first settlers settled in Omo, later new settlements emerged such as that of Chen Chen, approximately between the years 700 to 950, at its peak with a population estimated at 13,000 inhabitants. It was one of the most important towns in the expansion of the Tiwanaku Culture on the southern coast of Peru. You can clearly see silhouettes of camelids between one to four meters long, most facing east, some carrying loads, figures of humans, is there a staff there? There are other symbols that suggest magical religious purposes. Towards the east of the panel there is a camelid with its four legs visible, very rare in this type of geoglyphs. The technique used is extractive or shallow stripping (10 cm). These geoglyphs had great socio-cultural and economic importance during the development of these pre-Inca societies. In our times, it regains its cultural, identity and, above all, tourist importance. We know that this type of art that our ancestors bequeathed to us is exposed to deterioration and feared destruction. Only if we all unite, assuming the duty and commitment to prevent their disappearance, will our children and their children thank us. We recommend observing them very early or at dusk, to appreciate them clearly. They have a religious, ritual or ceremonial, astronomical or seasonal connotation; In short, communication between these inhabitants and their gods, the locals and the travelers or caravanners who frequented these routes transporting high altitude and coastal products for exchange.

Characteristics of the Chen Chen Geoglyphs

Although these geoglyphs stand out mainly for being zoomorphic representations (auquenids), there are also phytomorphic and anthropomorphic forms. Coming to have certain similarities with the lines found in Nazca, Palpa and San Pedro de Atacama. The population that made these geoglyphs were the Tiwanacu, a culture of highland origin. These used two techniques; One of them consisted of removing the surface layer of the ground and the other of placing stones of a different color than the ground, like a mosaic. It should also be noted that researchers and archeology specialists have been carrying out rescue work since 1985, discovering human bones at the site. Which testify to an influential population that existed in the Osmore and Moquegua valley. The researcher and archaeologist Lautaro Núñez concluded that these geoglyphs could be related to the complementary activities to which the high Andean populations were dedicated. It is also noted that these figures, being oriented east and west, could have been used as route markings.

Tourism and observation of the geoglyphs in the shape of flames

The Chen Chen geoglyphs are a tourist complex with an ancient presence. These cannot be observed at first glance, since the appropriate angles must be found to be seen. The best time to enjoy this archaeological attraction is the early morning or late evening hours, because the position of the sun makes it a unique experience. These figures are grouped into 2 groups of camelids. The largest and most charming is the one located in the center of the chain of hills, where you can see up to 9 animals and other symbols. Generally, at first glance you can see a red hill, with a pile of stones. However, if you begin to investigate the shape and its design, you will begin to appreciate the representative figures of flames. These figures of South American camelids can be found in the highest area of the hill. The Chen Chen geoglyphs are found clustered close to each other, some in a moving position and others static. That is why a certain visual acuity is required to know how to identify them. There are large images and other small ones, but all of them can be seen according to the direction of the sun.

How to get to the Chen Chen geoglyphs?

You must travel southwest of Moquegua about 1.5 km away, taking the Binational highway that takes us to Bolivia. Then you must go to the south side of the housing area and the cemeteries, about 100 meters away. However, unfortunately, this area is in danger due to the presence of invaders, who have already disappeared 2 geoglyphs.

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