Who Built Temple of the Sun burials?
Who Built the Temple of the Sun Burials?
The Temple of the Sun burials were built by the Inca civilization, the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The temple, known as Coricancha (Qorikancha) in the Inca capital of Cusco, was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the sun god.
Why Was It Built?
The Temple of the Sun served as the religious and geographical center of the Inca world. It was built as a place of worship, astronomical observation, and as a repository for the mummified remains of Inca emperors and their consorts. These royal mummies, carefully preserved and adorned, were not buried in the traditional sense but were kept in sacred chambers within the temple complex. They were brought out during major ceremonies, continuing their symbolic role in the political and spiritual life of the empire. The temple's construction and the associated burials reinforced the divine status of the Inca ruler, who was considered a direct descendant of the sun god.
Other Relevant Tombs Built by the Inca
While the Temple of the Sun in Cusco was their primary royal necropolis, the Inca built other significant tombs, often integrated into their sacred landscape.
Machu Picchu Royal Tomb
At the famous citadel of Machu Picchu, a carefully crafted cave beneath the Temple of the Sun is often referred to as the Royal Tomb. Although no mummies were found there, its exquisite stonework and sacred location suggest it was intended for an elite burial, likely associated with the ceremonial functions of the site.
