At 2,400 meters in the Andes, the last city inhabited by the Incas is not only an architectural marvel but also a testament to hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu. In a challenging environment with intense rainfall and steep terrain, the Incas designed systems of fountains, canals, and drainage that ensured water supply and the city’s stability.
Thanks to Kantu Peru Tours, this article explores how the Incas mastered water in Machu Picchu. Discover the function of its fountains, the precision of its canals, and the cultural significance of these masterpieces of hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu. Keep reading to uncover the secrets of water in the lost city of the Incas!
Historical context and discovery of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, was built around 1450 as a royal residence for the Inca emperor Pachacutec. While globally famous for its scenic beauty, its true value as an achievement of hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu is less known but highly praised by experts.
Located at 2,400 meters in the Andes, the city was designed to face challenges like steep slopes and intense rainfall of up to 2,000 mm annually due to its subtropical jungle location. The Incas demonstrated meticulous planning by building water systems that included canals, fountains, and drainage, designed with precision to ensure a constant and efficient supply. This reached its peak with the construction of 16 fountains, known as the “Staircase of Fountains.”
The water supply system in Machu Picchu
1. Main Source: The Incas empire identified a water source on a mountain north of Machu Picchu, fed by a drainage area of 16.3 hectares that until now provides water in Machu Picchu.
2. Water Channel: They built a 749-meter-long channel with a 3% slope to transport water from the source to the city even in the surrounding mountains.
3. Fountains: Water was distributed through 16 fountains, with a flow of approximately 300 liters per minute. The first fountain was reserved for the emperor to purify itself while sitting inside the liturgical fountains.
4. Hydraulic Design: The fountains operated with flows between 10 and 100 liters per minute, with excess water directed to agricultural terraces or the main drainage system.
The water drainage system in Machu Picchu
1. Agricultural Terraces: The 4.9 hectares of terraces not only maximized cultivable space but also prevented erosion and facilitated drainage.
2. Urban Drainage: The Incas built approximately 130 drainage holes in the city’s walls and structures, along with channels integrated into stairs and passageways.
3. Landslide Control: The terraces and drainage systems helped stabilize steep slopes, preventing landslides in a rainy climate in Machu Picchu.
Achievements of civil engineering in Machu Picchu
1. Foundations: The Incas prepared the ground with small rocks and built solid foundations for structures, using varied techniques depending on the location.
2. Materials: They used granite extracted from a local quarry and stone and bronze tools for carving and construction, but not in the last Inca Bridge in Machu Picchu.
3. Aesthetic Design: Structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Condor reflect a balance between functionality and beauty.
The liturgical fountains of Machu Picchu
The pinnacle of hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu is its liturgical fountains, popularly known as the “Staircase of Fountains,” where water served both practical and ceremonial purposes. It is said that everyone had to purify themselves here before entering the ceremonial sector of Machu Picchu, as these fountains border the urban area.
Built with granite, these fountains channeled water with precision to sacred sites like the Temple of the Sun and the House of the Inca, reflecting the spiritual connection of the Incas with this resource. After more than 500 years, the water continues to flow.
In 2009, four more ceremonial fountains were discovered, solidifying Machu Picchu as an impressive legacy of engineering and spirituality. For travelers, exploring these fountains is stepping into the mastermind of a civilization that mastered water in a challenging environment.
Where are the water fountains of Machu Picchu?
The water fountains of Machu Picchu are distributed in both the urban and agricultural areas of the archaeological site. To visit them, you must take the classic Machu Picchu circuit, which includes a tour of both areas. Routes 2A or 2B are recommended, though they often sell out quickly due to their popularity.
In the urban area, ceremonial fountains like the “Staircase of Fountains” stand out, while in the agricultural area, the canals and drainage systems showcase the mastery of hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu.
Importance of water in the Andean World
For the Incas, water was a vital resource, both practical and spiritual, representing fertility and life in their worldview. Efficient water management was key to surviving in a mountainous and arid environment, transforming the landscape and ensuring the empire’s prosperity.
Hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu is a perfect example of how the Incas integrated water into their daily lives and rituals. In all sacred and non-sacred Inca constructions, water was a connection to their deities, purifying and allowing them to see the Sun God in water mirrors. It was also considered a fertilizer for Mother Earth or “Pachamama,” giving life in all its forms.
Theory of Machu Picchu’s abandonment due to water shortage
Although some believed that water scarcity led to the abandonment of Machu Picchu, research by Kenneth Wright has debunked this theory. The Inca hydraulic systems were so efficient that they ensured a constant supply, even in dry seasons in Machu Picchu.
The water system surrounding Machu Picchu was present, even in the highlands of Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain. Therefore instead, the abandonment may be linked to external factors, such as the Spanish conquest or political changes in the Inca Empire.
Geographical challenges of hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu
The Incas faced a mountainous territory, extreme climates, and natural risks like earthquakes and droughts. To overcome these challenges, they developed advanced water management systems, demonstrating deep knowledge of hydraulics, geometry, and mathematics.
Hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu allowed them to channel water efficiently, even on steep slopes. Their ability to transport water from distant snow-capped mountains to Machu Picchu is particularly admirable.
Sustainability of the water system in Machu Picchu
Hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu is an exceptional example of sustainability and longevity. Built with local materials like granite and advanced techniques, the systems of canals, fountains, and drainage have withstood over 500 years of intense rainfall (up to 2,000 mm annually) without significant damage.
The Incas carefully planned structures to prevent floods, erosion, and landslides, harmoniously integrating water with the environment. This efficiency and durability demonstrate that the Incas built not just for their time but to endure through the ages.
Other Marvels of Inca Hydraulic Engineering
1. Highland Reservoirs: Like the Collpa reservoir in Ancash, which stored rainwater and remains operational.
2. Canals: Designed in zigzags to reduce erosion, such as the Cumbemayo Canal in Cajamarca.
3. Terraces: Controlled erosion and maintained water within the agricultural system, notably the terraces of Tipón.
4. Fountains: Provided water for daily use, with designs so efficient that some still function after 500 years.
5. Aqueducts: Transported water over long distances, even across challenging terrain, like the underground aqueducts of Nazca.
6. Cochas: Natural or artificial reservoirs that store water for dry periods, such as the cochas between Chancay and Huaral.
Hydraulic engineering in Machu Picchu and across the Inca Empire is an impressive testament to the skill and wisdom of this civilization. From liturgical fountains to canals and terraces, the Incas demonstrated exceptional mastery of water, adapting to a challenging environment and creating systems that endure to this day.
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