Approximately 15 minutes outside Nazca are the Cantalloc Aqueducts. This unique system was built to tap underground water within the Nazca Valley. The aqueducts are an impressive feat of hydraulic engineering where the ground has been excavated with horizontal trenches and tunnels to reach subterranean aquifers that hold water deep below and bringing it to ground level.
The aqueducts consist of tunnels, wells and trenches which are collectively known as Puquios (Quencha name for spring) range in length from a few meters to over 370 meters (1/2 mile). At present 36 puquios function in these three valleys, 29 of which are in the Nazca Valley; in the past it is thought there were more than 50 puquios in the area.
The Nazca Valley is one of the driest places on earth receiving approximately 1 inch of rain per year. The water flow of the main river, the Rio Grande has not been enough to sustain the population of the Nazca region either in the past or present especially during times of drought. The puquios solved this problem and have allowed a constant supply of water to the inhabitants of the region. Built by the Nazca Culture (the same people who created the Nazca Lines) who inhabited the region between 100 - 800 AD, the puquios construction is dates back to the 6th century which coincides with two prolonged droughts.
Each puquios is typically made up of several parts including a horizontal tunnel or "gallery" which is excavated laterally until it meets with the underground aquifers. The walls of the gallery are lined with river stones set without motor to allow water to filter into the gallery. The roof is constructed of stone slabs or from wooden logs (logs would be replaced at regular intervals). The ojo or opening of the well is in a circular shape at the top measuring 15 meters across while near the water only 1 - 2 meters. The unique shape allowed ease of access to the water thus serving as a local well. The smaller opening protected the water from debris. The ojo also allowed access to the puquios for yearly maintenance, as well as allowing air and light inside for the workers.
Historically the puquios have been the most consistent supply of fresh water to the region. Some puquios were constructed to capture the subterranean waters from the Rio Grande which flows east-west through the valley. While other puquios were constructed to capture north-south flowing water which research shows as water being transported via earthquake faults.
Water flows down the mountains from higher elevations following rivers and streams until the water reaches a crack in the bedrock caused by a fault. The fault acts as a natural aquifer, trapping the water and redirecting into the valley most with a north-south flow. The Nazca Valley is located at the near the intersection of a series of faults, ones running north-south and others east-west; the faults intersect at Cerro Blanco (the largest sand dune in the world) just east of the city.
Local legends historically link Cerro Blanco and water. In one legend Cerro Blanco is said to have erupted and spewed water from its summit and became a "volcano of water".
Another legend tells of the people enduring a long drought. The local people went to Cerro Blanco, which was their main place of worship and the place where they spoke to the gods. Viracocha (the Inca creator god) descended from the sky and heard the weeping of the people. Tears came from his eyes, ran down Cerro Blanco, and penetrated the earth, thereby being the origin of the underground aqueducts. These early legends may have been due to the amount of water being transported by the faults under Cerro Blanco.
In recent years, there have been theories regarding the relationship between the puquios and the Nazca Lines. While studying the puquios, teacher David Johnson noted that he could follow these mystical lines to find water sources. Johnson further noted that the trapezoid figures indicate the broadness of the water stream, zigzag lines show where the water ends, he summarized that the lines show into direction of the puquios. While Johnson's theory may not be 100% accurate many scientists now agree that one of the purposes for the creating the Nazca Lines was to mark water sources within the valley and thus it would be natural to assume a relationship between the puquios and the lines.
The puquios have allowed the Nazca desert to become fertile farm land capable of supporting large populations over the centuries. In additional to the Nazca people who created the aqueducts the puquios have been used by those who subsequently came to the region including the Huari, Inca, Spanish as well as the continued use of this water system by those living in the Nazca Valley today.
Teresa is with Galapagos Online.com specializing in Galapagos Travel cruises and tours within the Galapagos Islands and Peru including tours to Machu Picchu, Cusco and Nazca.
No comments:
Post a Comment