The Terraces of Moray
Our next stop after Chinchero took us to the curious circular terraces of Moray. The only word that really exists to explain these three deep, stepped pits in a high plain overlooking the Urubamba valley is "wierd". The pits are in fact quite huge: up to 140 meters across and 40 meters deep. Each also features a single water canal.
The purpose of the terraces of Moray, which probably date to the Inca period, is unknown. There are a variety of hypotheses, the most popular of which is that they were an agricultural research station for the Inca. Indeed, each of the levels boast a slightly different temperature, and it is not impossible that the Quechua used this difference to see what kind of plants would grow where and breed hybrids. Other, less likely, hypotheses include that Moray was an amphitheater or that it was a ceremonial place. For our part, we think that the three pits look like spaceship landing pads.
Enjoy the photos!
September 1st, 2010 - 02:02
Been having nightmares about aliens (true!) since Nazca.Kindly stop adding.