00:00 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jan. 24.
Impressive Inca enclosures and agricultural terraces were found following excavation and restoration works at Qentepata area of Chinchero Archaeological Park —situated an hour from South Andean Cusco city.
According to Felix Vilca, from State-run Decentralized Culture Directorate of Cusco (DDCC), the
vestiges were buried under the ground following the construction of the Chinchero site museum and houses in the upper area.
At terrace 1, excavators found small enclosures of the
Inca time and an aqueduct at the foot of the wall. This conduit was used to bring water to crops.
Part of a two-room enclosure was recovered at
terrace 2, and there is evidence of another
wall heading north. Plus, an enclosure with similar characteristics was found at the opposite side.
Three rectangular-shaped enclosures were unveiled at terrace 3. These large buildings cover the cultivation area in full. One of the enclosures had its floor made of stone which, according to its features, might date from colonial and republican times.
"S/1,262,000 (about US$392,412) was invested in 2017 to execute works at terraces 1, 2, 3 and 10 of Qentepata zone, encompassing more than 200 linear meters of Inca walls part of the stair-step like terraces rising to the top, where the Chinchero site museum is located," the archaeologist explained.
The restoration and enhancement of Qentepata farming terraces is a multiannual project that began in 2013 and is expected to be completed this year, after more than four years of hard work.
(END) PHS/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 1/24/2018