Ken stands in the ruins at Chankillo, Casma, Peru. The Thirteen Towers are visible in the background.

I recently spent three weeks in Peru, the first two as a volunteer at an archaeological excavation on the northern coast near Casma. I did this through the Earthwatch Institute, a non-profit that places volunteers at scientific expeditions throughout the world. In Casma, I participated in the excavation of the hilltop fort at Chankillo, a pre-Inca site that dates from Peru's Formative Period (1500-300 BC). I also visited many nearby ruins including Moxeque, Sechin and Las Aldas, all pre-Inca sites.

During the final week, I visited Cuzco and the surrounding Inca ruins Saqsaywaman, Pukapuwara, Tambomachay and Ollantaytambo. I then traveled to Machu Picchu and hiked to the top of nearby Huayna Picchu.

Table of Contents

• 1. Arrival in Lima
• 2. Casma
• 3. Sechín
• 4. Overview of Chankillo
• 5. Operation Four (Chankillo)
• 6. Survey Operation (Chankillo)
• 7. Chimu Workshop
• 8. Cuzco City and Cathedral
• 9. Saqsaywaman
• 10. Train to Machu Picchu
• 11. Machu Picchu, Part 1
• 12. Machu Picchu, Part 2

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