Photographer's Note
The technology of agricultural terraces, both for agriculture and also for drainage, was not invented by the Incas even though they utilized it in a remarkable way.
As more than 50% of the city lays on the slopes of the ridge with over 2000 mm of rain annually (tropics), it is obvious to any layman that some engineer solution must be utilized in order to prevent from the houses to slide down the mountain slopes. Hence come agricultural terraces.
Machu Picchu includes 4.9 Hectare of agricultural terraces which not only serve as part of the drainage system but also to increase the area available for farming (don't forget the ruins situated on top of a long ridge). The jutting rocks serve as steps for the workers so they could easily reach the crops, from one terrace to another.
Actually, this well designed drainage system (which also includes other sophisticated engineering solutions) is one of the reasons why the city was kept in such a good condition for over 500 years.
I came to this point, some 100 meters under the peak of Huayna Picchu (the adjacent mountain to Machu Picchu's ruins) to watch the city from above, when I saw this agricultural terrace, which was a bit different from the well-known terraces you can see in the BG, those of the Machu Picchu ruins. As I can only guess, these terraces belonged to the fort that is situated on top of Huayna Picchu.
The useful information about the terraces is adapted from the World Wide Web:
http://www.waterhistory.org/histories/machu/ which is the article: Water Supply and Drainage at Machu Picchu, By Jeff L. Brown.
PP: Crop, USM (both sharpening and Local Contrast Enhancement)
aflat, Gerrit, FORJP001, nwoehnl, capthaddock, Clairedelune, verge, KevRyan, andante, MeAT έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη
Critiques | Translate
Gerrit
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6354 W: 94 N: 10690]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(62042) 2005-12-03 21:12
Hi Chen,
Vey strong picture. Three kinds of stairs. The big stone ones and the little ones in the middle and the agricultural terraces on the left. And on the top right the untamed nature.
Thanks and regards, Gerrit
FORJP001
(3819) 2005-12-03 21:42
Instructive photographer's note; Viewer now more familiar with agricultural terrace and Machu Picchu ruins. Great color and lots of details in the stones.
Jean-Pierre
nwoehnl
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 8128 W: 623 N: 31]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(122) 2005-12-04 6:15
A fascinating look back on the ingenuity of the Incas, Chen. Good showing of the old terraces, with a natural choice of the vertical format to convey the height of the structure (on the other hand, the beautiful foggy mountainscape in the background makes me want to see a bit more ;). Good contrast and detail obtained in the mountain setting. Interesting notes.
capthaddock
(28790) 2005-12-04 16:01
Hi Chen - another original view from MP, fasinating terrace work, seeing the distant terraces in the background makes it even more interesting.
cam
(9043) 2005-12-04 21:22
hello Chen
Interresting trip you had.I started the reading on your blog and I find it instructive.
I find it useful to lok at your photo and see what is there before going myself.
Lots of work to build those terraces,but they are still there,as you say,a fine tribute to the workmanship of the incas.
You show enough background to give us the feelinf of height,
Charles
Clairedelune
(4923) 2005-12-06 21:45
Hi Chen,
Less moody picture that your previous ones, but very informative one. Good composition so that the terraces are emphasise. Very infomative note too!
I read in you intro that you are "getting back of being busy touring the continent". Happy man! Hope you will come back with a bag full of nice pictures for the pleasure of our eyes! Enjoy!
Claire
verge
(1242) 2005-12-06 23:11
very informative note, thanks for sharing. the photo is really nice. i like the focus, crisp sharpness and framing. i feel scared just by looking at the steps and the height below those steps, i wonder how they climb up balancing carrying their tools for farming....rgds
verge
KevRyan
(22956) 2006-02-01 14:39
I always meant to write to this one and am surprised I didn't - glad you're Ok and back around here - welcome back!
I just think this is a remarkable view and contribution to further understanding of this area and it's human habitation. Really interesting note! The whole is of NAT G quality.
bw Kev
clic
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2932 W: 0 N: 6]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(76) 2006-02-08 18:41
Bonjour Chen
High quality photographic document containing much visual informations.
Exotic and bucolic mood and superb point of view.
Thanks for the history lesson.
Robert Deschκnes
andante
(7092) 2006-02-11 8:36
Hi Chen,
Refreshing view of a highly photograph place. This is an angle of the Machu Pichu that I've never seen before.
Love the way you have composed it. It forms a zigzag making the eye flow through the image from the bottom up. You did a great job also, capturing the softness of the light.
Best regards,
Enrique
MeAT
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 39 N: 203]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(1174) 2009-02-04 21:10
Good catch. A somewhat different shot than the typical Machu Picchu pictures. You also had a tough cloudy day to cope with!
MeAT :)
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Chen Guttman (pilpel-adom)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 713 W: 166 N: 546]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(3018) - Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2005-07-00
- Categories: Αρχιτεκτονική, Ερείπια
- Camera: Canon EOS 33, Canon EF 28-105mm f: 3.5 / 4.5 USM II, Kodak Gold 200, Hoya 58mm UV
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): YOUR FAVORITES [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2005-12-03 18:24
- Αγαπημένα: 1 [view]
Discussions
- To KevRyan: Thank you! (1)
by pilpel-adom, last updated 2006-02-01 02:58
