MORAY The mysterious agricultural laboratory of the Incas

  

This enigmatic site is located 38 km from Cusco, in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and just 7 km from the salt mines called Maras, which have been exploited since the time of the Incas to this day and have become another favorite tourist spot. These unique circular Inca terraces, known as MORAY, hold some mysteries yet to be discovered. However, some archaeologists believe that the Incas conducted agricultural experiments here with various seeds brought from different places. Above all, they tried to adapt them to a certain type of climate and then cultivate them on a large scale throughout the empire. These terraces are located on a plain located at 3,500 meters above sea level and surrounded by mountains that protect this place from the cold climate of the mountains, creating a 20°C microclimate ideal for the cultivation of various crops that would be impossible at that altitude.

 

 

 

This archaeological site stands out for its concentric rings that overlap each other as they expand. It is believed that a type of crop was grown on the lower terraces, which, after adapting, were then cultivated on the higher terraces, thus becoming more accustomed to the area's typical temperatures. This complex agricultural laboratory was crossed by a network of canals that supplied water to the terraces, which in turn had a filtration system that prevented the crops from flooding. What is certain is that whatever its purpose, Moray is a place that remains a mystery and is one of the must-see places when visiting Cusco.