(Please read from the start)
“Based on archaeological evidence, sometime during the Middle Nazca period, the Nazca people created an aqueduct system to sustain life in the exceedingly arid environment. The exact date of construction of the puquios has been debated for some time. Dating of the puquios is quite difficult because of the materials involved in their construction. Attempts at dating the trenches have also been difficult as the puquios were found by excavation. This destroyed the early context by which their dates might have been interpreted.”
>> It’s incredible how the most interesting discoveries always have “problems” or are “compromised”.
“The most promising techniques used to date them thus far has been the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) analysis of varnish that has collected on the rocks inside the puquios, as well as the study of settlement patterns in the area.[9] These techniques have placed the original construction of the puquios at the Middle Nazca period, as indicated above.
The irrigation system was made up of underground channels, known as puquios, which tapped into the subsurface water. The channels were dug into the mountainside until they reached the aquifers under the surface. The channels were lined with river rocks. They did not use any mortar so that the water would pass into the channels. The water was transported to irrigation canals (acequias) in order to directly supply water for agricultural purposes, or the water was deposited into small reservoirs (kochas) for later domestic use.[8] Numerous access holes or ojos (eyes) were placed along the surface of the underground channels and operated much in the same way that modern manholes do. People would descend into the puquios in order to clear obstructions or make repairs.”
>> This is truly amazing as well as very advanced knowledge and technique. How many centuries did it take to the “advanced” nations to reach this level of underwater engineering and architecture?
“It is difficult to tell how long these underground channels are because extant puquios have been altered. Many of the puquios are too dangerous to explore underground. The length of the puquios are estimated by measuring the distances covered between the related ojos.”
>> I know I’m old fashined, but I also know there are robots to explore such places. New high tech cadgets made our work much easier for the last decade. So if there is a budget, patience, permits and a good will, then this can be done.
“Many of the channels remain in use to this day. This also testifies to their importance to generations of ancient people in the arid environment. With modern use, people have altered the puquios to be used more efficiently, including installing motorized pumps. In some cases, the kochas have been lined with concrete in order to hold the water better.[8] Some of the best-preserved channels are those located in Cantalloc.”
>> This got scratching my head. Just a wild thought there anons, but do you think these underground tunnels are currently used by traffickers and smugglers? I’m not saying it is that way, I’m just wondering if someone verified this, checked it out.
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