View source for Acaray

{{short description|Archaeological site in Peru}}
{{For|the hydroelectric power plant and HVDC-back-to-back facility in Paraguay|Acaray Power Plant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Acaray
| native_name = 
| alternate_name = 
| image = Vista a Sector B 8-10-04.JPG
| alt = 
| caption = Fortified hilltop at Acaray
| map_type = Peru
| map_alt = 
| map_size = 
| relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|11|03|31|S|77|31|59|W|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Lima Region]], [[Peru]]
| region = [[Norte Chico (Peruvian region)|Norte Chico]]
| type = Fortification
| part_of = 
| length = 
| width = 
| area = {{convert|23|ha|abbr=on}}
| height = 
| builder = 
| material = 
| built = 900–200&nbsp;BC
| abandoned = 1000–1470&nbsp;AD
| epochs = Early Horizon to Late Intermediate Period
| cultures = 
| dependency_of = 
| occupants = 
| event = 
| excavations = 
| archaeologists = 
| condition = 
| ownership = 
| management = 
| public_access = 
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| notes = 
}}

'''Acaray''', also known as the '''Fortress of Acaray''', is an [[archaeological site]] located in the [[Huaura River]] Valley on the near north coast of [[Peru]] (or the [[Norte Chico (Peruvian region)|Norte Chico region]]). The impressive [[fortress]] is located on a series of three hilltops, each ringed with a number of perimeter defensive walls that have [[parapet]]s and [[bastions]], which stand as testaments to the military nature of the site. Radio carbon dating has established it was built about 900–200 BC and abandoned 1000–1470AD. Surrounding the hilltop fortress are lower-lying areas of occupation and extensive cemeteries, which have been heavily looted.

== History of research ==
Attention was called to the site early on by the German [[archaeologist]] [[Hans Horkheimer]], who wrote about Acaray in 1962 in the Peruvian magazine, ''[[Caretas]]'', published in [[Lima]]. Calling it the ''Fortaleza de Huaura'' (the Fortress of Huaura), he deemed Acaray to be a true fortress, unlike the more well-known neighboring site of [[Paramonga]] in the [[Pativilca River]] Valley, whose defensive nature has been questioned. Horkheimer noted the abundance of rolled river [[cobblestone|cobble]]s on the surface of the site, which were likely used as projectiles or [[slingstone]]s.<ref name=Horkheimer1962>Horkheimer (1962)</ref>

During the 1970s interest in Acaray increased, and the first work by archaeologists was initiated at the fortress. Peruvian archaeologist [[Mercedes Cárdenas Martin|Mercédes Cárdenas]], of the [[Riva-Agüero Institute]], excavated at Acaray, among other coastal sites, as part of a larger project to understand the use of marine resources in the past on the Peruvian coast and to obtain [[radiocarbon]] dates. She led a team that surveyed the Huaura Valley and excavated at several sites, including the hilltop fort at Acaray.<ref name="Cárdenas1977">Cárdenas (1977)</ref> She estimated that it was built about 900–200 BC and abandoned 1000–1470 AD.<ref name="Cárdenas1977"/>

Around the same time, Peruvian archaeologist Arturo Ruiz Estrada, of the National University José Faustino Sánchez Carrión, and Peruvian engineer Domingo Torero visited the fortress; they wrote a detailed account describing the architectural features of the site.<ref name="Ruiz Estrada_Torero1978">Ruiz Estrada and Torero (1978)</ref>

In 2004, North American archaeologist Margaret Brown Vega, of the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]], began research at Acaray, carrying out intensive mapping, surface analysis, and excavations, which lasted for two years.

According to Brown Vega, Acaray early megalithic wall constructions may be similar to those of [[Chankillo]] from the same period.<ref>Brown Vega, M., 2009. ''Conflict in the early horizon and late intermediate period: new dates from the fortress of Acaray, Huaura valley, Perú''. Current Anthropology 50 (2), 255–266</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of archaeological sites in Peru]]

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
*Brown Vega, M., 2008. ''War and social life in prehispanic Perú: ritual, defense, and communities at the Fortress of Acaray, Huaura Valley.'' PhD dissertation, Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign.
*Brown Vega, M., 2009. ''Conflict in the early horizon and late intermediate period: new dates from the fortress of Acaray, Huaura valley, Perú''. Current Anthropology 50 (2), 255–266.
*{{Citation
 | surname1=Cárdenas
 | given1=Mercédes
 | year=1977
 | title=Informe Preliminar del trabajo de campo en el valle de Huaura (departamento de Lima) (Preliminary Report of fieldwork in the valley of Huaura) (department of Lima)
 | place=Lima
 | publisher=Report submitted to the [[Riva-Agüero Institute|Instituto Riva-Agüero]], Seminario de Arqueología, Lima, Peru
}}
*{{Citation
  |  author=Horkheimer, Hans
  |  year=1962
  |  title=La Fortaleza de Huaura
  |  periodical=Caretas
  |  volume=22
  |  issue=
  |  pages=30,38B
}}
*{{Citation
 | surname1=Ruiz Estrada
 | given1=Arturo
 | surname2=Torero
 | given2=M. Domingo
 | year=1978
 | title=Acaray, Fortaleza Yunga del Valle de Huaura.
 |  place=Huacho, Perú
 |  publisher= Comite de Educacion de la Cooperative de Ahorro y Credito "San Bartolome"
}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Archaeological sites in Peru}}

[[Category:Forts in Peru]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Peru]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in the Department of Lima]]
[[Category:1st-millennium BC establishments in Peru]]
[[Category:2nd-millennium disestablishments in Peru]]
[[Category:1962 archaeological discoveries]]
[[Category:Norte Chico civilization]]