Pre-inca canals

Our guidebook introduces the site of Cumbemayo as “an astounding feat of pre-inca engineering” with “aqueducts that zigzag over 9km for a purpose that is unclear”. Its a long climb to get there (as is most of Peru) - so we very sensibly decide that joining a tour will be a good plan. This has the benefit that we have a guide and learn about the context of the site.

According to our guide, the mountain, which is covered in striking rock formations, was considered a sacred place. There are rock carvings, caves, temples and sacrificial altar. There is also an narrow aqueduct (60cm wide) built around 3000 years ago which managed to take water over a complex route (including over the water divide between the pacific and atlantic) and then down into Cajamarca. As Cajamarca has abundant water supplies, the explanation is that the aqueduct brought sacred water down for spiritual purposes.

The intriguing right angle bends that are carefully built into the canal are presumed to have symbolic meaning - perhaps denoting, according to our guide, the three levels of underworld, living world and heavens.Read more