Moray (Inca ruin)

Moray[1][2] (Quechua: Muray)[3] is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau at about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) and just west of the village of Maras. The site contains unusual Inca ruins, mostly consisting of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 m (98 ft) deep. As with many other Inca sites, it also has an irrigation system.

Moray
Muray
The Incan terraces at Moray
Shown within Peru
LocationPeru
RegionCusco Region
Coordinates13°19′45″S 72°11′44″W
History
CulturesInca

The purpose of these depressions is uncertain, but their depth, design, and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference of as much as 15 °C (27 °F) between the top and the bottom.

Erosion threats to structure

During the rainy season of 2009–2010, the Department of Cusco received high levels of precipitation that are atypical, which caused permanent damage to the ruins of Moray. The terraced levels of the complex, which are constructed from stone and compacted earth, were damaged extensively as the excessive rain waters undermined the ground beneath the structure.

The eastern side of the principal circle collapsed during February 2010, causing concerns about the permanence of the site as a top tourist attraction in Peru. A temporary wooden support structure was erected to prevent further collapse until reconstruction work could begin.

According to travel writer Paul Jones,[2] "Although repair work at Moray continues to restore the site to its original state, lack of funds and continuing annual rainfall hinder progress. This interesting archaeological site which forms an important part of tourism to the region continues to be at risk of further degradation, should the repair work not be completed and maintained for the future years."

Origin

This landmark is widely agreed to have been used for farming, and soil samples have shown that soils were brought in from different regions to be used in helping grow crops at the different levels of the terraces. The wide temperature differences in the terraces have created micro climates, similar to what is achieved in greenhouses in modern times, and is believed to have been used by the Incas to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops.[4]
The landmark also looks similar to an open pit mine. After the mining was done, the Incas could have reinforced the walls to prevent landslides, and started to grow crops on the terraces.[5][6]

See also

References
  1. "ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DE MORAY". Inventario Turístico de Perú. MINCETUR. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  2. Jones, Paul J (2012) author and travel writer, Peru Guide (the only), the online guide to Peru.
  3. Cristóbal Estombelo Taco, Inka taytanchiskunaq kawsay nintayacharispa, Instituto Superior Pùblico La Salle - PROYECTO CRAM II, Urubamba, Cusco 2002 (in Quechua)
  4. The Mysterious Moray Agricultural Terraces of the Incas Kaushik Patowary, 4 March 2013 at amusingplanet.com; added 3 April 2019, reviewed 12 October 2020
  5. First Quantum in copper again at Cobre Las Cruces Donna Schmidt, 5 February 2019 at miningmagazine.com
  6. Chile losing its competitive edge in exploration Mining IR, 3 May 2019 at miningir.com
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