Rural Technologies and Practices in Ancient Peru

Abstract

This chapter will address two of the most representative technolog-ical works related to water management in Peru. The Cumbemayo Canal and the AMUNAS. The first one is a pre-Columbian hydraulic work located in the trop-ical Andes of Peru. Built largely on rock, its design and construction demonstrate a high level of knowledge in hydraulic engineering. The canal was designed to capture water from springs, reduce water velocity, and mitigate erosive effects. This significant hydraulic project, located over 3500 m.a.s.l., had the primary objective of ensuring a consistent water supply to communities and cultivated fields, even during periods of low water or prolonged droughts. Due to its magical and religious significance, this hydraulic complex is recognized as one of the most important pre-Inca ceremonial sites in South America. It is still in operation today. On the other hand, the pre-Hispanic water management system was based on recharging and artificially using aquifers, which involved planting and harvesting water. This system utilized hydraulic technology to retain rainwater in the soil and required active community participation for management and maintenance. It was framed within an Andean cosmovision to ensure a constant water supply to the communities. The Amunas are an infiltration system that considers the natural and climatic elements of a region to facilitate groundwater recharge in high areas and provide water for human consumption or agricultural production in low-lying areas.