Cumbemayo
From Wiki Sumaq Peru
This admirable work in hydraulic engineering is a laudable testimony unique skill displayed by the old man from Cajamarca; this open channel was carved on the rock alive and enigmatic finely decorated with petroglyphs. This complex has a hydraulic cultural sequence covering periods preceding the dissemination Chavin and reach the Inka conquest.
Waters of the river flows to Pacific ocean, but canal is flowing to opposite way. The canal begins in the ocean side of the river and crosses the Cumbemayo river to flow down to city of Cajamarca. Canal is 7 kilometers long, first 850 meters of it has been cutted in rock.
This canal has not mainly been built for an irrigation, more likely it has been seremonial one. In the start, there are several seremonial places, where are sacrificial stones from where the blood has been gone to canal. We returned back to Cajamarcan valley to travel at other side of it, where is place called Ventanilla de Otusco. Where at rock wall have been cutted burial chambes, in where has been places the bones of the deads. At first the bodies has been burried conventional way, and then later the bones have been shifted the in these window like garves, wich opens to the direction of the sun. Similar kind places is also more far, they are more well preserved then this. From here we headed to city of Cajamarca, where wisited musos and chuches also in the ransom room of Inka Atahulapa.
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Location
Located in the southwest, at the foot of the hill Cumbe, about five hours from the city of Cajamarca, is the so-called complex hydraulic ceremonial Cumbemayo, with a height of 3510 meters above sea level.
Overview
It is a place of beauty that holds particular significance attractive, forming a scenario where we combine the work of men and action time.
Cumbemayo is a megalithic construction of 25000 m² located at the foot of the hill Cumbe. It is thought that was built around the year 1200 AD Cajamarca by culture-Marañon, but also a strong influence Chavin. It covers three major architectural groups: the Sanctuary (a cave modeled on the basis of a huge crag shaped human head); Las Cuevas (petroglyphs with anthropomorphic reasons) and Aqueduct (made in volcanic lava, a real portento of hydraulic engineering).
Weather
The area is characterized by a climate with a dry season which runs from May to October in an abundance of warm and sunny days and another rainy between December and March.
Its construction
The petroglyphs of Cumbemayo are part of one of the largest waterworks in the pre-Hispanic era. His magical-religious connotation attracts domestic and foreign. These are blocks carved by running water in a gentle slope, which includes tunnels and elbows zigzag to slow the flow. The stone blocks placed at the beginning of the trail-the petroglyphs themselves-have various levels cut and polished. One of these blocks in the form of a cone trunco, is traditionally known as "stone of the sacrifices."
The channel is 3600 meters, 7.5 km from the city of Cajamarca. It feeds on rainwater stored on the western slopes mountain range. This amazing work of Hydraulic Engineering, 9 km. Long, was built during the period preincaico. Many of the sections, carved into the rock, with between 35 and 50 cm. Wide, and 30 to 65 cm. Deep. Moreover used grecas and right angles in order to decrease the speed of water and, in turn, prevent erosion.
Archaeological Studies
In 1937 when Dr. Julio C. Tello cleaned and studied the evidence he invaded the excitement and importance of the time, as was clearing weeds covering these archaeological remains, was attracting a lot of attention with the graphic patterns that for the first time would have to be made known to the scientific world; undoubtedly, in their eyes was the testimony of one of the many works perennizadas of former cult that nature. In this part, the channel length is approximately 850 metres, an aqueduct was designed with a depth that goes up to 50 cm and a width of 30 cm which currently runs the water.
He was investigated in 1937 by the archaeologist Julio C. Tello, who suggested to be an antiquity preinca (around 1000 BC). Studies conducted by the investigator cajamarquino Rogger Ravines indicate that the canal was in use for many centuries and that could be associated with a adoratorio carved in the rock, located near the canal, on the brink of a series known as The Frailones rocky. Assumptions
Cajamarca has an abundant water supply, the channels were not needed, so we could have had a religious or ceremonial function. At this point early in the morning, the explanation of religious Cumbemayo becomes more plausible. The energy and sunlight, which is covered in grass and scores of ichú by strange volcanic formations, which makes palpable him up.
Thus, Cumbemayo would not have been an irrigation aqueduct but a ceremonial center of worship of water, as Kenko, and Saywite in Cusco, in Apurimac.
Utility in history and now
Impairment of Cumbemayo
The channel Cumbemayo is an interesting demonstration of the talent of the ancient Peruvians water, as it provides an uninterrupted flow of water from snowmelt and rain. According to the German archaeologist Georg Petersen, it is also important to its geographical location, which brought the divortium aquarum continental between tracks that go to the Pacific and going to the Amazon.
But his identification as archeological site in 1937, for many years the channel Cumbemayo was being used for irrigation purposes locally without any care. Current Status
In 1965 he performed works of preservation but which ended with an extension of the channel which affected its authenticity. With the passage of time these were aggregated into disuse and eventually have almost disappeared. At present, the only channel leading water sectors and is harmed by the accumulation of sediments due to the lack of maintenance and cleaning. The water runs so slowly that it seemed to stagnate and erosion has weakened many stretches.
Works Recovery
With an investment of four million new soles, the city of Cajamarca has been initiating construction of asphalt for the highway to the complex hydraulic Cumbemayo ceremonial.
The mayor province of Cajamarca, Emilio Horna Pereira, reported that the project includes 15 miles of asphalt, until the archaeological site, after ensuring that the work will not prevent access for tourists. Around 15 thousand visitors a year come to the area attracted by the impressive Cumbemayo channel.
Attractions
The Aqueduct
Unique works of hydraulic engineering of the pre-Inca, was described by historian Julio C. Tello as a "Work in its Gigantic Gender." It is an open channel in rock, with linear strokes and cracked at right angles in certain sectors, was built with the purpose of and derive benefit from the water flowing to the Pacific slope toward the Atlantic.
Caves
They contain many petroglyphs (set in stone).
Shrine
A crag in the form of a human head in the party thought to be the mouth has dug a small cave, inside there petroglyphs, whose drawings so far have not been deciphered.
Altars Ceremonials
It was along the route of the canal, there are stones and staggered platforms.
Stone Forest
It covers a significant extension of huge cliffs, diverse and capricious ways, the most known, which resemble the silhouettes of friars in silent procession, hence the name "Frailones".
Activities
Hiking, observation.
Useful Information
When to go
All year is good to get there. However the best months are from April to October
Getting there
By bus journey from Cajamarca in 5 hours
References
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