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TIPON

WATER ENGINEERING MASTERPIECE


OF THE INCA EMPIRE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Tipon paleohydrological research project fieldwork was conducted in September 2000 under
the authority granted by Secretario General INC-Cusco Javier Lambarri Orihuela on September
8, 2000 and Director Departmental INC/DC ARQT Gustavo Manrique Villalobos on September 7,
2000 according to Resolucin Directoral No. 344-INC-C-2000.

The project included a field and office study of the paleohydrology and special features of Tipon.
The work was primarily focused on field theodolite surveying and mapping Tipons water systems
and measuring its water-related details such as canals, fountains, drop structures, and
appurtenances.

1.1 Site Location and Description

Tipon is part of the Tipon archaeological park and lies about 20 kilometers east of Cusco in the
Cusco valley at an elevation ranging from 3,350 to 3,960 meters above mean sea level. The site
is at latitude 1334' south, longitude 7147' west. The archaeological park of Tipon is located
inside the Tipon district, province of Quispicanchis, and the department of Cusco. In terms of
communal jurisdiction, it is in the Choquepata community. In reference to the Huatanay valley it
is situated on the left flank, and in terms of ecological levels it is situated in the Puna and Queswa
zones. Its boundaries can be identified on National Map 28S-IV-EN-1972 (Cumpa 1999). The
reader is also referred to the Carta Nacional 1:100,000 topographic map Cuzco, HOJA 28-5 for
hydrographic data. The site, in relation to San Jeronimo, Saylla, and Oro Pesa, is shown in Figure
1.1. The Tipon archaeological park is depicted on Drawings 1 and 2 in the envelope at the rear of
this report.

1.2 Hypotheses

The Tipon paleohydrological research study was commenced with two hypotheses, the first being
that field surveying and mapping portions of Tipon would contribute to an orderly and better
understanding of this Inca archaeological site. The second hypothesis was that the Inca builders
of Tipon were good civil engineers in a manner similar to those who built and practiced
engineering at Machu Picchu.

As will be demonstrated in the following report results, both the first and second hypotheses have
been proven.

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Figure 1.1 Tipon Archaeological Park. Tipon lies half way between San
Jeronimo and Lucre, not far from the Wari administrative center of Pikillacta
and the Killke settlement of Chokepukio

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1.3 Personnel

Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (WWE) and Wright Paleohydrological Institute (WPI) conducted the
September 2000 field exploration, research, surveying and mapping. All archaeological
investigations were under the scientific direction of Dr. Gordon McEwan and Dr. Alfredo Valencia
Zegarra (No. AV-82-03), with Ives Bejar Mendoza (No. DB-9744) serving as project archaeologist
with the able assistance of archaeologist Zanabria Valencia Garcia.

Kenneth Wright served as the project director in charge of the paleohydrological research. Ruth
M. Wright assisted him as project historian and photographer and with field observations and
measurements. Civil engineer Scott Marshall served as field reconnaissance survey engineer; he
traversed the huge site to select and obtain survey points of critical importance. Christopher
Crowley was the Global Transmit theodolite instrument man, who performed his work in a
professional and efficient manner. Dr. Gordon McEwan arranged for all transportation and
provided the theodolite and range pole rod. Able and dedicated macheteros included Felipe
Coruyca, Erwate Quesfe, and Hernan Quesfe.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The preliminary work for the Tipon project commenced in 1995 with an initial site visit by WWEs
project participants led by Dr. Gordon McEwan and Dr. Alfredo Valencia Zegarra. This was
followed by a second site visit in November 1997, at which time photographs and observations
were made of the many water-handling features of Tipon. At this time Tipon was identified as an
appropriate archaeological site for paleohydrology research to supplement ongoing research at
Machu Picchu.

In January 2000 a third site visit was made over a period of three days that included detailed site
observations. WWE representative Christopher Crowley was accompanied by several professional
staff members of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC) who described the water features of Tipon
and assisted in reconnaissance inspection of the site for the purpose of preparing a project proposal
to the INC. Reference data were collected from Cusco area libraries and archival sources. Dr.
Fernando Astete of the INC was very helpful in all ways and was the principal source of archival and
published data and maps. The INCs Cusco Director was gracious and generous to us and laid the
basis for extensive help from the INCs staff, for which we are grateful.

The September 2000 paleohydrological research work included the following activities:

1. Reviewed and analyzed reports, maps, and aerial photographs.

2. Cleared vegetation from the main Inca canal route from the Rio Pukara and excavated portions
of the main canal using four macheteros led by one graduate archaeologist under the direction
of Dr. Valencia Zegarra and Ives Bejar Mendoza from September 13 to 21.

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3. Field surveyed using a Sokia 4000 theodolite for topographic documentation of Tipons
primary terraces, water features, and a portion of the main canal from Rio Pukara.

4. Explored, cleared, excavated, and documented the Incas main canal that diverted water
from the Rio Pukara at a point upstream of the northern outer wall (Muralla) near Pukara
to the upper terminus of the reconstructed canal about 660 meters north of the Intiwatana.
In addition, the main canal downstream of the Intiwatana was excavated to allow
measurement of its slope, cross section, and hydraulic roughness and determination of its
area and location of irrigation turnouts.

5. Explored and documented a lower (first) Inca canal that diverts from the Rio Pukara;
cleared and excavated an upper (third) canal diverting from the same source.

6. Field studied and documented the Tipon spring, canals, drop structures, fountains, and
irrigated terraces to analyze the continuity and adequacy of the collection, transport, and
delivery of the spring water for beneficial uses.

7. Analyzed the water quality and water yield in liters per minute (L/min) of the Tipon spring
via field measurement and measured the flow of water in one of the two main canals that
were carrying water.

8. Explored the Inca canal evidence between the Tipon spring and Patallaqta and the
southeasterly Muralla with Ernesto Vargas P. of the INC.

9. Measured the main canals typical sections between the Rio Pukara and the Intiwatana
and from the Intiwatana to Patallaqta.

10. Measured and documented the Tipon springs headworks.

11. Measured and documented the ceremonial fountain.

12. Performed reconnaissance from Tipons main terrace to the Cruzmoqo summit via
QOyayoqwayqo, Ajawasi, and the eastern Muralla to check for potential canals and water
features and to observe the many terraces as well as the exposed grayish volcanic
bedrock. The bedrock has a high rainfall-runoff potential, which has caused the one visible
active gully on the mountainside. Noted petroglyphs, terrace walls, and other features at
Cruzmoqo.

13. Performed reconnaissance of Tipons enclosure from Cruzmoqo in an westerly direction


to the beginning of the remaining Muralla uphill from Pukara, where a third canal was
found that diverted from the Rio Pukara. The reconnaissance survey included
observations and additional documentation of portions of the main Inca canal and
additional portions of the third Inca canal lying uphill of the main canal.

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14. Observed, measured, and documented the underground canal within the Intiwatana and
the fountain in the Ceremonial Plaza as well as measuring the niches there.

15. Measured the irrigated area of Tipons main terraces and the likely area of the outlying
terraces that lie under the canals that divert from the Rio Pukara.

16. Evaluated the adequacy of the water supplies for domestic and irrigation purposes, taking
into consideration rainfall amounts and likely crop consumptive use. An approximate area
of Inca terraces lying above the canal was also determined.

17. Photographically documented physical water-related components of Tipon and


conducted a video interview related to anthropology of the site.

18. Consulted with Dr. Alfredo Valencia Zegarra and Dr. Gordon McEwan on interpretations
of the prehistory of Tipon and of the colonial period.

19. Prepared maps, sketches and photographs of various features of Tipons enclosure and
performed paleohydrological evaluations.

3.0 BACKGROUND AND BASIC DATA

The area of Tipon is extensive. It is an important archaeological site with a multitude of distinct
forms, structures, and functions. It is located in the valley of Cusco about 20 kilometers east of
the city. It forms part of the archaeological region of the greater Cusco area and is intimately
related with Cusco and the other sites of the Inca time. Tipon is important at a technological level
as well as socially, politically, religiously, and architecturally. It may have been related to the elite
of Cusco and represented an important component of the Inca Empire.

3.1 History and Function

The natural spring and the adjacent Rio Pukara at Tipon would have been an attraction to the
early people of the Cusco valley, and it is likely that the site was occupied well before the Inca
period. In fact, there is evidence that people lived in the region in very ancient time. Brian Bauer
of the University of Chicago has found lithic material on the hill west of Tipon. The Bauer site may
go back to the 4,000 to 6,000 B.C. eras. We noted potsherds at Pukara that represent the Killke
period and judged the outer wall to have characteristics representative of the Wari, who occupied
the Lucre valley to about A.D. 1,000, with their regional administrative center at Pikillacta only 7
kilometers down the Cusco valley from Tipon.

The scientific study of Tipon has focused on paleohydrology; however, we believe that Tipon is
Imperial Inca and that it was likely built in the time of Pachacuti or his son, Topa Inca. It is believed
that it served as a type of feudal estate for Inca elite or as a royal estate. There would also have
been ceremonial activities. Cruzmoqo, the Intiwatana, the Ceremonial Plaza, and the
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Ceremonial Fountainall to be discussed laterare likely ceremonial sites. Extensive tombs lie at
various locations on Tipons exterior cliffs in Paroq Mayo and Nusta Warkuna. There were significant
areas of irrigated agriculture with some dry-land farming. Tipons central terraces, considered to be
among the finest of the Inca Empire, may also have been used for agricultural research purposes
because of their special construction, the narrow valley, a reliable and full water supply, and the
fertile soil.

The Tipon Archaeological Park encompasses 239 hectares, an elevation difference of 610 meters,
a surrounding defensive wall of about 6 kilometers length, and four residential areas. The area within
the wall approaches 200 hectares.

The irrigation and hydraulic features of Tipon place the site in a paleohydrologic category, as will be
discussed later, that demonstrates advanced Inca water-related technology and proves that the Inca
were good hydraulic engineers. At Tipon, there were many opportunities to adopt the demonstrated
water handling expertise of the Wari, who occupied the Lucre valley until A.D. 1000.

3.2 Population

The Tipon archaeological park is divided into different areas with regard to elite residences. Based
on estimates by Alfredo Valencia Zegarra, about 50 people lived in Sinkunakancha area near the
entrance. Approximately 20 to 30 people lived in the fine structures built on the terrace near the
spring. The Intiwatana is at a higher level, with urban dwellings for about 40 people. Pukara was a
larger community (with about 100 people minimum) where noble Inca families likely lived. A total
residential group of 500 likely existed within the walls of Tipon. The transient population (of perhaps
1,500) included the Mitmas, who the Incas brought in to cultivate the land, as well as artisans, who
specialized in textiles, ceramics, stone, metal, and cultivation of plants. Most of them lived outside
the walls. Corn was an important product.

3.3 Climate

The precipitation and temperature for Tipon is presented in Table 3.1 based upon Cuscos records.
The similarity in location and elevation between Cusco and Tipon makes a transposition reasonable.
The six-month rainy period from October through March represents 86 percent of the annual
precipitation, with only 14 percent occurring from April through September. Based upon analyses of
the Quelccaya Ice Caps records (Thompson 1985) and modern climate, the average Inca period
climate was probably similar to that of the modern records (Wright 1997a).
Table 3.1
Tipons Precipitation and Temperature

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avg
MaxC 20 21 21 22 21 21 21 21 22 22 23 22 21
MaxF 68 70 70 72 70 70 70 70 72 72 73 72 70
Min C 7 7 7 4 2 1 -1 1 4 6 6 7 4
Min F 45 45 45 39 36 34 30 34 39 43 43 45 39
Rain 163 150 109 51 15 5 5 10 25 66 76 137 67.7
mm
Rain 6.5 6 4.4 2 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.4 1 2.6 3 5.5 32
inches

3.4 Geology

The Tipon archaeological center has its own geomorphological characteristics. The Tipon
archaeological center is located in a zone of volcanic rock outcropping on the side of Yanahorcco
mountain which forms the Pachatusan chain. The placement of the volcanic material has been
laterally controlled by the two steep gullies that are parallel to each other. In the front sector one
can see the Pirpinto (Paracmayo) gully (Bejar 1989). The geology is rough and steep and in
several areas there are flatlands, which is the case of the terraces in the studied zone. The
terraplanes of Iglisiachayoc moqore are also utilized at present as cultivated zones. Likewise all
of these serve to control and prevent soil erosion. The Pillpinto gully forms an alluvial cone which
ends toward the Huatany valley at the location of the community of Choquepata (Figure 3.1)

Mitu Group: (Upper Permian, lower Triassic) The outcropping may be seen in the northern part
of Tipn toward the northwest side of Choquepata, where sedimentary and volcanic rocks appear.
In the section of the spring and the irrigation canal, this call of rock does not appear.

Huancane Formation: (Lower Cretaceous) The outcrop appears to the north, east and west of
the zone of study. This geological zone is characterized my mainly sandy white fine-grain quartz,
making a good aquifer in the case of the Nahuipugiopor spring, being a very thick rock, about 100
m. thick, that can be used as a base to hold water like a dam. Similarly, there are outcrops in
various sectors of the pre-Hispanic canal, one see fractures, in some cases intense, in other
cases, less intense.

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98 99 00

Pukara Cruzmoqo

Volcanico
99 99

Ajawasi
Capas Rojas
s
a Intiwatana
n
e
r
r
o Tipon Spring
M Iglesiaraki

Patallaqta
98
98
N
Rondobamba 0 500

Meters
Areniscas

Suelos
Choqepata
97 97
98 99 00

Figure 3.1 Geologic map showing extensive area of volcanic bedrock that
underlies most of the Tipon Archaeological Park

Yuncaypata Formation: (Middle Cretaceous) In the Tipon site, this appears rarely,
probably because the volcanic rocks have covered them. The Yuncaypata formation is
made up of lutites. Possible the limestones covered by volcanic rock associated with
thermal waters gave rise to the travertine, which does not exist on one of the sides of the
spring that one sees in the main terraces of Tipon.
Volcanic Deposites: The Tipon archaeological center is located in a volcanic zone,
since the material that our ancestors used for the construction of the terraces and
buildings is volcanic rock. In this way it may be considered a quarry zone because of the
existence of volcanic rock, andesites that indicate that the rock is composed of fincs
crystals of paljiodas (carved andesite). The andesite rocks show fracturing due to the
cooling of the lava, losing its initial volume by contraction, and the age of the rock is
calculated to be no less than 600,000 year old. That is to say, they belong to the
quaternary age. Likewise, these same volcanic indications are found in O opeza,
Huaqoto, Rumicolca (Piquillacta). In the sourthern part of the volcano (a highway that
leads to the Tipon complex) one sees breccias caused by the advance of the lava, on
deposits of colluvial debris. These breccias are sandy, conglomerates, lutites, and
volcanic rocks.

Alluvial Deposits: We see at the bottom of the Nahuipugio gully and Paracmayo where
there are formed, or exist, gravels of different sizes. The community of Choquepata is
located on an alluvial deposit, consisting of alluvial terraces.

Colluvial Deposits: These are the rocks that form meteorization and through the effect
of gravity have been moved to the lower part. In one of the walls of the archaeological
complex of Tipon and also in different places, there appears deposits of colluvial debris.

Fluvial Deposits: Fluvial deposits can be seen at the east side of the archaeological
complex of Tipon in Sales Caca which generally, because of having a flat surface, is
used for agriculture or at least the hillsides are less steep, which favors agriculture.

3.5 Infiltration
An inspection of the drainage basin tributary to Tipons terraces revealed that much of
the area is terraced. Un-terraced areas, generally above elevation 3,625 meters, are
vegetated, and the topsoil is permeable, derived from volcanic rock with windblown
deposition.

Examination of potential gullying uphill of Tipons terraces revealed only one active gully;
it was draining the bare bedrock feature. WWEs evaluation of the infiltration, using
indirect means, shows that infiltration is high and storm runoff is low. We have verified
this by examining the photographic documentation that Hiram Bingham provided from
his 1912 expedition (National Geographic Society 1913), as illustrated in Photographs
3.1 to 3.3.

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