Geological landscape of the pre-Inca archeological site at Chavin de Huantar, Peru

Chavin de Huantar, a large pre-Inca temple complex in a steep-walled mountain valley, was constructed on three geomorphic elements: the toe of an inactive earthflow, an alluvial fan, and a river floodplain. Part of the temple complex suffered river-bank erosion early this century and structures indicate ancient Chavin inhabitants attempted to control river position. The temple complex and nearby valley floor was buried by a damaging debris flow in 1945. A nearby agricultural plain that likely influenced the siting of the temple complex represents an ancient landslide-dammed lake floor. The temple is constructed of large stone blocks, mostly sandstone and quartzite with lesser granite, limestone, and volcanic tuff. Sandstone and volcanic tuff could have been quarried locally but the nearest sources for limestone and granite are 3 km and 15 km from the site.