The ‘Archaeological Complex Maranga’ is located in the ‘Parque de las Leyendas’. The park houses not only the zoo and botanical garden of Lima but as well a big part of Limas most extensive ancient city and one of the most important pre-Hispanic complexes at the central Peruvian coast. The ancient city of Maranga contained impressive huge monuments, numerous pyramids, palaces, temples, administrative centers, an ancient wall, roads, residential areas, water reservoirs and irrigation channels. All were built by different cultures who occupied the area continuously from around 600 BC until the Inca period in 1532.

Worth mentioning are the ‘Huaca San Marcos’, ‘Huaca Concha’, ‘Huaca Middendorf’, ‘Huaca Cruz Blanca’, ‘Huaca La Cruz’, ‘Huaca Tres Palos’, ‘Huaca San Miguel’ and ‘Huaca La Palma’. The small museum ‘Ernst W. Middendorf’ in the ‘Parque de las Leyendas’, located behind the ‘Huaca Cruz Blanca’, presents the development of the area with its different cultures and displays artifacts and mummies.

The ‘Archaeological Complex Maranga’ originally extended over today’s districts of Cercado de Lima (Lima Center), Pueblo Libre and San Miguel. By the beginning of the 20th century big parts of the once huge settlement were destroyed mainly due to urban growth and neglect. Today the real dimension of the city of Maranga, its power and influence can only be guessed. In 1960 only a small area was left and saved from further deterioration and destruction by declaring it as an archaeological reserve. To preserve and investigate this area and to show Limeños and all Peruvians the rich natural wealth of Peru and its impressive archaeological patrimony, parts of the ancient city of Maranga were integrated in the ‘Parque de las Leyendas’ established in 1964.

In October 2003 this extensive archaeological zone was declared a cultural patrimony of the Nation. Other historical monuments belonging to the ancient Maranga like the ‘Huaca San Marcos’, ‘Huaca Concha’ and ‘Huaca Potosi Alto’ are located outside the ‘Parque de las Leyendas’ on the campus of the University of San Marcos, the Naval Hospital, adjacent urban areas and on the campus of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

Investigations conducted in Maranga established that the urban center was occupied by seven great cultures in seven phases:

The ‘Huaca San Marcos’ was built during the time of the Lima Culture. Together with the ‘Huaca Concha’ and ‘Huaca Middendorf’ it formed the first real ceremonial and administrative complex in the City of Maranga. Today it is in the compound of the University of San Marcos and covers an area of over 62.000 m². The central part with its five platforms and three adjacent parts are built mainly with ‘adobitos’ (small adobe bricks). Only a few mud walls were discovered.

Inside the huaca archaeologist excavated numerous mummy bundles, remains of vegetables, bones, remains of fish, ceramics from different cultures and amazing ancient drawings. Unfortunately the monument and his historical value were badly damaged due to the urban growth and the expansion of the University of San Marcos. At least ‘Huaca San Marcos’ still exists. Today the base of the pyramid is 332 m x 137 m.

The ‘Huaca Concha’, on the premises of the University of San Marcos, was one of the highest pyramids of the Lima Culture in the ancient City of Maranga. Together with ‘Huaca San Marcos’ and ‘Huaca Middendorf’ it formed the first real ceremonial and administrative complex in Maranga.

In the 20th century the expansion of the University ended up with the construction of a football stadium literally on top of the ‘Huaca Concha’ (after demolishing and flattening the peak of the pyramid). This nearly completely destroyed the highly valuable and important historical complex. Even the discovery of significant archaeological objects during and after the construction phase did not stop renovation works of the stadium in the 90´s with even more damages done to the few remains of the ‘Huaca Concha’.

The ‘Huaca Middendorf’, named after Ernst Wilhelm Middendorf, the great German doctor and pioneer known for his archaeological investigations in Peru, is located in the northern part of today’s ‘Parque de las Leyendas’ close to the compound of University San Marcos. Together with the ‘Huaca San Marcos’ and ‘Huaca Concha’ it formed the first real ceremonial and administrative complex within the ancient City of Maranga. The huge pyramid was built during the Lima Culture mainly out of ‘adobitos’ (small adobe bricks). The complex is formed by two sections, ‘Hill A’ and ‘Hill B’. ‘Hill A’ is the higher one in the south and has four platforms.

Archaeologist found yellow painted floors and abobe bricks. ‘Hill B’, the smaller one, has at least two platforms and was presumably used as a cemetery. Only a few investigations of the huaca have been conducted but the whole structure has been stabilized to protect it from further deterioration. Hopefully studies will continue and this historical and archaeological monument will be restored.

The ‘Huaca Cruz Blanca was an important administration and ceremonial center for the ‘Curacazgo of Maranga’. It was used in the period of regional chiefs and señoríos (1100 – 1450) and during the Inca time (1450 – 1532 AD).The complex, located in the ‘Parque de las Leyendas’ has a rectangular shape and is divided into two sectors. The Huaca Cruz Blanca is built mainly using mud walls and contains many platforms, stairs, ways and wide enclosures with squares, open spaces and niches.

In 1992 and 1993 the higher part was conserved and reconstructed, in 2003 the lower part. The archaeological site is open to the public and worth a closer look. Make the interesting tour through the huaca and discover the ancient life for yourself.

Intensive studies, investigations and preservations of the ‘Huaca San Miguel’ (‘Parque de las Leyendas’) in the years 2003 and 2004 revealed an impressive building constructed in the late intermediate period (1100 to 1450). Further studies and restorations in 2006 led to the assumption that the ‘Huaca San Miguel’ originally was an important administrative centre of the ‘Ichma’ Culture. The monument was built with mud walls. Impressive are the huge enclosures with sidewalks, the elegant plastering of the floors and walls and huge stairs of 5.4 m length and 1.70 m width.

At one time the ‘Huaca San Miguel’ was abandoned by its population and reoccupied most probably between the 13th century and the beginning of the Inca era. Huge enclosures and silos to store agricultural products were added. At the end of this ‘reoccupation’ period the complex was also used as a burial ground. The archaeologists found a 30 to 40 year old tattooed man (‘El Personaje Tatuado’), a 25 to 30 year old woman (‘La Dama de los Batanes’ - the Lady of the walk-mill’) and a mummy bundle containing an infant. The archaeological investigations, the conservation and the reconstruction of the ‘Huaca San Miguel’ are still ongoing.

The ‘Huaca Tres Palos’ or also known as ‘Huaca Pando’ or ‘Huaca La Campana’ was inhabited during the period of regional chiefs and señoríos (1100 – 1450), in the Inca era (1450 – 1532 AD) and at the beginning of colonial times. The rectangular shaped pyramid, located in the ‘Parque de las Leyendas’, is constructed by four platforms. The mud walls were plastered and painted in white, yellow and red. Originally the monument was used as temple and an observatory. On the highest platform are 96 wells and archaeologist indicated, that they might have been used as a solar clock and calendar to efficiently perform agriculture and fishing.

Located in the ‘Parque de las Leyendas the ‘Huaca La Cruz’ was like the ‘Huaca Tres Palos’ built during the period of regional chiefs and señoríos (1100 – 1450). It is assumed that this rectangular monument built with mud walls was used as an administrative center of the ‘Curacazgo’ (reign) of Maranga. Unfortunately only little is known, but investigations of this complex are still ongoing.

The ‘Huaca La Palma’ (‘Parque de las Leyendas’), was the principal building of the city of Maranga during Inca times. Unfortunately this monument built of adobe bricks and mud walls is quite deteriorated. The pyramid contains three platforms connected with two ramps. The base is surrounded by sidewalks and walls with small niches. The ‘Huaca La Palma’ is one of the few historical sites in the Lima area where archaeologist could discover and save amazing friezes (‘frieze’ = a band of decoration running along the wall). In 2001 the unique friezes of the ‘Aves Piquero’ and of the ‘Cruces Escalonadas’ were preserved and restored.