Inca Fountain History

There are 16 unique fountains spread across the city; fountains are called “pacchas.” They were used for drinking, and irrigation. In modern society, waterways are typically used for drinking and bathing, with the addition of recreational use e.g. surfing, water parks, washing dogs (a luxury the Inca’s did not have). The first fountain was built in Emperor Pachacuti’s suite. Also the emperor had a bathing room with a separate drain, so the shower water did not renter the water supply. The purist water is only accessible to Incan rules and sacred ceremonial sites. The “Sacred Fountain” (Fountain #3) is adjacent to the Huaca and the Temple of the Sun. Marvelously carved into stone blocks and four niches. It is an impressive site, because it overlooks the Urubamba River below, and the mountain peaks in the far distance, therefore, allowed it to be the perfect place for Inca monks to perform sacred rituals.

But the main spring is a 48 ft long wall lined with stones. The water flows into the city via a canal. Each fountain has a specially designed sprout called an “aryballo,” an Andean clay water jug.

There is an “Unfinished Canal” where the stones were cared on both sides of the stone with a stonecutter to connect two canals. Approximately

The Inca’s stone wall compositions are precise, the stones fit cozily together without gaps. On Conjuntos 7 there are is a rock formation that shows rock placement of the Andean bird, 15 ft long with its wings outstretched, beak, feet, head, and tail. The large stones outline the body and the triangle indicates the beak. Was this intentional or not? The condor is a significant symbol to the Andes as it draws dominance and power like swooping down and catching innocent prey. If it were an accident, the condor would have been an after thought. The combination of symbolism and engineering experience creates a monumental