Peru opens up Incan oracle sanctuary to tourists

PERU: Peru has opened up a tourist attraction in which hikers view a site that held an oracle consulted by Incan leaders pondering big decisions such as whether to go to war.

The sanctuary, known as Pachacamac, features a series of pyramids with ramps to climb up and a palace. It took archeologists more than two years to prepare the so-called Route of the Pilgrims, which rises up 1,250 meters (4,100 feet) and opened Saturday.

Pachacamac featured a venerated image that was said to represent the god of earthquakes. The sanctuary covers about 500 hectares (1,235 acres) of land and includes human settlements that run from around the year 200 AD up until 1533, when the Spaniards conquistadors arrived, the culture ministry said.

Archeological digs carried out in preparing the route unearthed a large tomb used for mass dog sacrifices and containing funereal offerings.

AFP