Ushnu

An ushnu is a pyramid-shaped, terraced structure that was used by the Incas to preside at the most important ceremonies of the Tawantinsuyu.

Little is known of Ushnu's Quechua root, but it seemed to mean the place of stones where the water filters. Presenting the places with characteristics of ushnu, major feasibility for the receipt of liquid offerings, they were probably used by the pre-Hispanic populations, when they had to realize rituals where they owed ofrendar liquids, principally alcoholic maize drink. Thus, a ceremonial concept formed of ushnu, that probably was referring to " the place where offers liquids, or place of drinks ".

PachacutiYnga gave order very many hazienda to sacrifice the uacas and of the houses of the Sun and tenplo of Coricancha; the throne and aciento of the Yngas called usno in every wamani it indicated.

His structure is that of a rectangular pyramid formed by five platforms, they acceding to the highest part for a perron, everything constructed in stone. In the top there existed a double armchair worked in stone, which according to the local tradition was covered with golden sheets and was the place where there were sitting down the Inca and the Coya (his wife) to give justice and to preside at the ceremonies and rituals that were developing in the square.In the peripheral Ushnu mas, his structure was enough a precarious mas, but it was arranged under archeoastronómics rules .

It is necessary to highlight the references of certain etnohistórics documents that indicate that they were constructed in squares and inside the road network Inka, mentioning also the offerings alcoholic maize drinks in ceremonies, as the Capac Hucha2. But especially that treats itself about places of sacrifice and drink.

The references on the physical characteristics of the ushnus in the empire Inka have been described in Zuidema's investigations, Hyslop And Raffino et to. And particularly in the central zone of the Chinchaysuyu, in Wanuku Pampa for Shea, Morris and Thompson. In Taparaku for Serrudo. In Pumpu and Chakamarca for Matos and Matos et to. In 1996.

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