After overthrowing all other cultures like the Moche, Cajamarca, Recuay, Maranga (Lima Culture) and the Nazca, a new culture came from the Ayacucho region around 700 AD to the coast, the Wari or also known as Huari. With their strict social systems and despotic operations they soon dominated the whole Lima region. The Wari settled at strategically important points of the empire, at ceremonial and administrative centers and places with natural resources.

Being great organizers, developers, urban planners and constructors they extended the irrigation systems left by the Chavín and Maranga. On the remains of a settlement from earlier times the Wari built the city of Cajamarquilla (near today’s Huachipa, apx. 12 km along the Central Highway). Cajamarquilla developed to the major commercial, administrative and military city with a population of about 15,000 people.

After the decline of the Wari other cultures like the Ichma and Inca occupied the city. The few investigations made in Cajamarquilla brought new knowledge about ancient cultures and about the city itself. Some archaeologists assume today that Cajamarquilla wasn’t the main city of the Wari, in fact it was abandoned at this time. They assume that cultures before and especially after the Wari period like the Ichma left us this impressive site.

The Wari adapted and added as well to the great religious complex of Pachacamac. Even if the oldest buildings and temples date back to the Maranga Culture, the city only began to flourish and extended its influence to outer regions during Wari times. The shrine was dedicated to the god Pachacamac, ‘the Creator of the World’. Pachacamac was the most important place for pilgrims in the costal region and attracted worshippers from all over Peru.