Rings Of Moray – Sophisticated Irrigation System In Sacred Valley Of The Incas, Peru

A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Moray or Muray (in Quechua) is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau at about 3,500 m (11,500 ft) and in close vicinity of the village of Maras.

The Incas were very advanced in their agricultural techniques that included the terracing system and irrigation using aqueducts. In Moray, for example, they used circular terraces that demonstrate the high level of culture the Inca civilization achieved.

Moray -  (4.5 miles from the town of Maras and 39 miles from Cusco) - has ancient Inca ruins mostly consisting of several enormous terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 m (98 ft) deep.  These terraces were built using retaining walls connected by an irrigation system.

The purpose of the rings of Moray is uncertain.  It has been suggested that the circular depressions had a cosmological meaning.

However, it is known that the annual temperature difference between the ground at the bottom of the circles and the highest terrace is 15 degrees C.

This climatic difference has led some archaeologists to believe that these terraces were used by the Incas to experiment with different varieties of plants to improve their crops.

The rings' depth, design, and orientation with respect to wind and sun create a temperature difference of as much as 15 °C (27 °F) between the top and the bottom.

Moray could have been an experimental farm as the terraces descend into the center of each circular formation and create a subtly different micro-climate from the previous terrace.

The site was discovered in 1932 by Shirppe Johnson while flying over the area.

Written by – A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

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