Wancasanga in Cajamarca provides new insights into the sophisticated organization of the Inca Empire's supply system. In the Condebamba Valley, archaeologists have examined twelve circular structures that may have once served as Inca storehouses. Particularly interesting is a building with two ventilation ducts. This construction could have helped store food for longer under the challenging conditions of the Andes.
The findings are from the Proyecto de Investigación Arqueológica Wancasanga 2026. The archaeological site is located in the province of Cajabamba in the Cajamarca region, at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters.
Twelve Possible Inca Storehouses in Wancasanga
In the so-called Sector C, archaeologists documented twelve circular structures, neatly arranged along the terrain. According to researchers, these could be Colcas. These storehouses were of great importance to the Tahuantinsuyo. They could store corn, potatoes, quinoa, and other foodstuffs. Clothing and other goods were also kept in such state-owned warehouses.
The Inca often built Colcas in strategically favorable locations. Many were near important trade routes or administrative centers, allowing supplies to be collected and distributed throughout the vast Inca Empire as needed.
Ventilation System Surprises Archaeologists
Another discovery makes Wancasanga in Cajamarca particularly interesting. One of the excavated buildings contains two structurally designed ventilation ducts. The sides are made of dressed stones, while large stone slabs presumably served as covers. This allowed air to circulate through parts of the building.
For a storehouse, this technique would have been extremely sensible. Good air circulation reduces humidity and improves conditions for stored food. The building's position may also have been deliberately chosen. Stronger air currents occur in this area of the hillside, so the Inca could have specifically used natural wind for ventilation. Similar techniques are known from storage facilities along the Qhapaq Ñan, the great Inca road network.
Aríbalo Provides Further Clue to the Inca
In addition to the buildings, researchers found fragments of an Aríbalo. These characteristic ceramic vessels were used by the Inca for transport and storage, among other things. The find thus supports the assumption that Wancasanga was used during the Inca period.
However, the exact function of the entire complex still needs to be investigated. The scientists therefore currently refer to it as a possible Colca complex. The research project is led by archaeologist Jerry Solano Calderón and funded by the Municipalidad Distrital de Condebamba.
Why Wancasanga is Interesting for Cajamarca
The new investigations expand knowledge about the Inca presence in northern Peru. At the same time, they show how many archaeological sites in the region can still be explored in more detail. Wancasanga was already known to researchers. Settlement structures of the Condebamba Valley were investigated as early as 1989. The current excavation now allows for much more precise documentation.
The population of nearby Chauchabamba is also involved in the project. Residents support the work and the protection of the archaeological site. In addition, workshops are held for students. This ensures that the exploration of the site is not solely the task of archaeologists but is also connected with the local population.
In the long term, Wancasanga in Cajamarca could also become interesting for visitors. However, it is still a research site and not a regularly developed tourist attraction. This is precisely what makes the current results exciting. While well-known Inca sites have been intensively investigated for decades, Wancasanga provides new insights into the lesser-known north of the former Tahuantinsuyo.
Future investigations will now clarify how large the storage complex actually was and what significance it had for the region's supply.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wancasanga
Where is Wancasanga located?
Wancasanga is located in the Condebamba Valley in the province of Cajabamba in the Cajamarca region. The investigated structures are situated at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters.
What was found in Wancasanga?
Archaeologists documented twelve circular structures, two ventilation ducts, and fragments of an Inca Aríbalo.
What are Colcas?
Colcas were Inca storehouses. They were used, among other things, for storing food and were part of the Tahuantinsuyo's supply system.
Can Wancasanga be visited?
Wancasanga is currently primarily an archaeological research site. A regularly developed tourist visitor structure does not yet exist.
Sources
Agencia Andina – Report on the Proyecto de Investigación Arqueológica Wancasanga 2026, August 28, 2026
Agencia Andina – Photo gallery of the excavations in Wancasanga, August 28, 2026
Image source Hero: Proyecto de Investigación Arqueológica Wancasanga / Agencia Andina
