Surrounded by the breathtaking Andes mountains, the Moray ruins are an archaeological complex in the Sacred Valley that has been captivating researchers and travelers for decades.
The site is best known for its three groups of circular terraces. Each of these terraces has 12 levels, with the largest depression having a spectacular diameter of 600 ft (183 m).
From the highest terrace to the lowest, the descent is about 490 ft (149 m), making the Moray ruins one of the most fascinating man-made sites.
Let’s walk through the history and purpose of the Moray site, as well as uncover the best time to visit and the top things to do in the area.
History of Moray
Because the Incas did not have written language, the history and purpose of Moray are still somewhat enigmatic.
Evidence suggests, however, that the bottom six terraces at Moray were built by a culture predating the Incas, somewhere between the 6th and 10th centuries.
The remains of the archaeological complex that we see today were created by the Incas between the 12th and the 14th century and were most likely used to cultivate different crops. More extensive research of the area began in the 1930s and, up until the 1970s, the site was used by local communities for agriculture.
Today, the unique Moray ruins are one of the must-visit ruins in Peru and one of the most instagrammable spots in Cusco.
Incan Agriculture at Moray
Many archaeologists and anthropologists believe that the Moray ruins were once used as a means to carry out agricultural experiments. Some of the evidence that supports that is the extensive irrigation system (fueled by water from a reservoir located high in the mountains) engineered into the terraces.
Another fascinating observation is the temperature difference. From the highest to the lowest terrace, the temperature differs 41 °F (5°C) and the sun hit each terrace at a different angle and intensity.
The microclimate at Moray likely allowed the Incas to do agricultural research and identify the best conditions for crops to thrive. Even more, all this suggests that the Incas utilized their knowledge of the environment to capitalize on their natural resources.
What Did the Incas Cultivate?
While there is no written evidence, based on the agricultural practices in the Andean region, the Incas likely farmed crops such as potatoes and quinoa, as well as Amazonian plants suited to milder temperatures.
Corn was likely another major crop cultivated at Moray due to its significance in different religious ceremonies in the Inca Empire.
How Did They Make the Moray Terraces?
Carved out from the slope of a mountain, the Moray terraces are undoubtedly an architectural wonder.
Each of these terraces has been reinforced with stones, as well as soil to allow for better water drainage.
Research in the area also suggests that the Incas imported soils from different regions of Peru to fertilize the terraces, providing even more evidence to support the crop experimentation theory.
