Toro Muerto Petroglyphs and the White City

The Toro Muerto petroglyphs in Peru are located in some of the driest desert I have seen. The landscape is all Grey rock and sand with hardly a sign of life-not even many insects or lizards. About the time these were carved several thousand years ago, this was a major trading route between the highlands and the coast. Many of the petroglyphs feature dancers with headdresses and masks and possibly represent ceremonies conducted here. Maybe the ceremonies where for a good trading profit, or to ask the gods for safe passage across this dry, dry, dry desert. Unlike Samali Tash in Kyrgyzstan, they were pretty easy to get to. The only thing we had to brave was the heat!

Toro Muerto petroglyphs in Peru







Tall man waving



The animals look pretty cheerful!



The cow jumping over the moon?



This was a major trading route between the highlands and the coast. Why were these petroglyphs carved on so many rocks here? I think it was to ask the gods for safe passage across this dry, dry, dry desert.





A ritual dance with masks and headdresses. Perhaps part of the ceremony for safe passage?



In the Santa Catalina nunnery in Arequipa







A girl feeding the pigeons in the town square of Arequipa



Arequipa is called The White City because of the white granite used in construction of many of its buildings. This church is alongside the main square.



A small demonstration in Arequipa about rising food prices- rice, corn, and other staples. Also about lack of jobs. One protester told us ¨people who have money eat. people who don´t have money don´t eat.¨ Seems pretty obvious to some people, but in the States we are used to having plenty jobs and opportunities as well as social programs like welfare, unemployment, and food stamps. Here, there is not a lot to fall back on but family.