The top picture shows the remains of a grave site that was looted for gold. The ruins here are the closest major archeological site to Lima, and the most frequently visited. They are 31 km. south of Lima, and can be reached by public transportation.
It was an important Inca site when the Spanish arrived, predating the Incas by about a thousand years. It was a major ceremonial center on the coast before the expansion of the Inca empire.
Those on foot can walk around the site, and will clearly see the remnants of previous excavations. Many have combed through areas like this in search of gold. As they riffle through the sand, they have dug up countless items of bone, textiles, hair, and sometimes the unusually shaped skulls of the early inhabitants.
In a museum in Ica, just north of Nazka, we photographed huge skulls that were described as being from royalty or priests. Click on the skull and the flashing arrow key to view more of these skulls . . . . but be forewarned, they are most unusual. . . . . some believe they are the skulls of ancient aliens!
