Collapse and Abandonment of the Wari Empire

Around 1000 CE, the Wari Empire, which had administered much of the central Andes from its capital at Huari in Peru Ayacucho Basin since c. 600 CE, underwent political disintegration. The capital city of Huari was abandoned, along with provincial administrative centers such as Pikillacta near Cusco. Evidence suggests prolonged drought beginning c. 880 CE contributed to the collapse. The disintegration initiated the Late Intermediate Period characterized by fragmented regional polities. However, Wari infrastructure including road networks, agricultural terraces, and administrative models persisted and was later adopted by successor states including the Inca Empire.