Cumbe Mayo

Cumbe Mayo
Kumpi Mayu
The aqueduct of Cumbe Mayo includes tunnels
Shown within Peru
Alternate name	Humpi Mayo
Location	Cajamarca, Cajamarca Province, Cajamarca Region, Peru
Coordinates	07°11′23″S 78°34′26″W / 7.18972°S 78.57389°W / -7.18972; -78.57389Coordinates: 07°11′23″S 78°34′26″W / 7.18972°S 78.57389°W / -7.18972; -78.57389
Type	Aqueducht

Cumbe Mayo is at an average altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level and 20 kilometers southwest from Cajamarca. Built by an advanced pre-Inca society around 1500 B.C.E, the Cumbe Mayo, which translates to thin river, is thought to be one of the oldest man-made structures in South America. It lies in the Archaeological Complex of Cumbemayo, a place where the highest hydraulic technology of ancient Peruvian communities and the impact of time upon nature are wonderfully combined. 'The canals at Cumbe Mayo are thought to be at least 3,000 years old. Archeologists aren’t exactly sure why they were built, but it’s thought that the canals were meant to slow down and regulate the movement of water. The canals’ lines are incredible, turning at perfect right angles over smooth rock. They were likely constructed using obsidian hammers. One of the main attractions of Cumbemayo, or "Narrow River" in Cajamarca Quechua, is the aqueduct. This is a canal of approximately 9 km in length, carefully carved in volcanic rock to divert the water from the hills to cultivation fields and a large reservoir; which is presumably originally at the foot of the Santa Apolonia Hill. Heading towards the aqueduct one can observe some stairways sculpted in stone, and a carved stone which had been used as a ceremonial altar. Also prominent is the Sanctuary a huge cliff resembling a man's head, whose mouth would be a grotto, where interesting but undecipherable petroglyphs have been found. The caves and shelters of the area evidence other stone engravings, where visitors claim to see anthropomorphic images. In an important section of the route there are also impressive and rare geological formations, where some will identify the shapes of monks forming part of a procession. For this reason, this stone forest located in Cumbemayo is known as Los Frailones.^[1]

The canals at Cumbe Mayo are thought to be at least 3,000 years old. Archeologists aren’t exactly sure why they were built, but it’s thought that the canals were meant to slow down and regulate the movement of water. They were likely constructed using obsidian hammers.^[2]

The aqueduct winds down the hills toward the city of Cajamarca, stretching out over about five miles (8 km) in length. The canals brought water from the high grounds to the valleys below, which was especially valuable during times of water scarcity. A number of petroglyphs are also scattered around the aqueduct and in surrounding caves. These symbols provide additional insight into the people who constructed the canals.^[3]

Cumbe Mayo and Los Frailones

Built by an advanced pre-Inca society around 1500 B.C.E, the Cumbe Mayo, which translates to thin river, is thought to be one of the oldest man-made structures in South America. It carefully follows the grade of the land, draining water from the hills’ melting snow, to the arid cities in the valleys below. As water was a scarcity, it was worshipped by the Cajamarca people thousands of years ago, and every drop was carefully collected.^[4]

Besides the aqueduct, which is cut from the volcanic rock around it, a number of petroglyphs on the structures and in surrounding caves provide some insight into the culture that built the infrastructure.^[5]

Towering above the Cumbe Mayo, are Los Frailones, the Stone Monks. Los Frailones are massive volcanic pillars, some stretching as high as 60 feet(18 m). The stone forests suddenly appear from the landscape, starkly contrasting the flat, grass-covered plains around Cajamarca. The erosive forces of wind and rain likely carved out the pillars. Many of the pillars, carved by wind and rain have taken on new shapes, resembling hands and even animals, and allowing the mind to wander in the pristine Peruvian setting. Their impressive and rare geological formations, where some will identify the shapes of monks forming part of procession. For this reason, this stone forest located in Cumbemayo is known as Los Frailones(The Friars).

Although the stone forests and ancient ruins of pre-Incan society give the area a beautiful and almost spiritual dimension, it is hard to overlook Cajamarca’s tragic history, as the location where Spanish forces slaughtered the Incas, thousands of years after Cumbe Mayo was constructed.^[6]

Archaeological sites in Peru Acaray Amaru Marka Wasi Arhuaturo Asana Asiru Phat'jata Aspero Awila Qhincha Mach'ay Awkin Punta Awkillu Waqra Awkimarka (Apurímac) Awkimarka (Huánuco) Awqa Punta Aya Muqu Ayamach'ay Ayawayq'u Azángaro Baths of Boza Bandurria Buena Vista Cahuachi Cajamarquilla Cao Viejo Carajía Caral Caves of Sumbay Cerro Baúl Cerro Pátapo Cerro Trinidad Chakamarka Chan Chan Chankillo Chauchilla Cemetery Chavín de Huantar Chawaytiri Chichakuri Chipaw Marka Chuqik'iraw Chuqik'iraw Pukyu Chuqi Pukyu Churajón Chuya Cota Coca Cumbe Mayo El Brujo El Cañoncillo El Ingenio El Paraíso Garagay Gran Pajáten Gran Vilaya Guitarrero Cave Hatun Rumiyuq Hatun Mach'ay Hatun Uchku Hatun Usnu Hatunmarka Hunqupampa Inka Mach'ay Inka Raqay, Apurímac Inka Raqay, Ayacucho Inka Tampu, Cajamarca Inka Tampu, Huayopata Inka Tampu, Vilcabamba Inka Tunuwiri Inka Uyu Inka Wasi, Ayacucho Inka Wasi, Huancavelica Inka Wasi, Lima Inkapintay Inkill Tampu Inti Punku Inti Watana, Ayacucho Inti Watana, Calca Inti Watana, Urubamba Intikancha Intini Uyu Pata Intipa Ñawin Intiyuq K'uchu Isuq Jinkiori Jisk'a Iru Muqu Kanichi Killarumiyuq Kiswar Kotosh Kuelap Kukuli Kuntur Wasi Kunturmarka, Ayacucho Kunturmarka, Pasco Kunturqaqa Kuntuyuq Kusichaka valley Kutimpu Khichuqaqa Khuchi Mach'ay K'allapayuq Urqu K'anamarka K'ipakhara Laguna de las Momias Lawriqucha Layzón Llamachayuq Qaqa Llamayuq Llamuqa Llaqtan Llaqtapata Machu Pikchu Machu Pirqa Machu Pitumarka Machu Q'inti Machu Qullqa Mameria Maray Qalla Marayniyuq Markahirka Markansaya Markapukyu Markawamachuku Marpa Mawk'allaqta, Castilla Mawk'allaqta, Espinar Mawk'allaqta, La Unión Mawk'allaqta, Melgar Mawk'allaqta, Paruro Mawk'allaqta, Sandia Mawk'ataray Mayqu Amaya Mazur Mikulla Millka Miraflores Mirq'imarka Miyu Pampa Mulinuyuq Mulluq'u Muray Muyu Urqu Muyuq Marka Nazca Lines Nina Kiru Ninamarka Ñawpallaqta, Huanca Sancos Ñawpallaqta, Fajardo Ñawpallaqta, Lucanas Ñusta Hisp'ana Pacatnamu Pachakamaq Pachatusan Paiján Pañamarka Paracas Candelabra Paraxra Patallaqta Phiruru Pikillaqta Pikimach'ay Pilluchu Pinkuylluna Pirqa Pirqa, La Libertad Pirqa Pirqa, Lima Pirwalla Pirwayuq P'isaq Puka Pukara Puka Tampu Puka Urqu Pukara, Coporaque Pukara, Fajardo Pukara, Puno Pukara, Vilcas Huamán Pukarani Pumamarka, San Sebastián Pumamarka, Urubamba Pumaq Hirka Pumawasi Punkuri Puqin Kancha Puruchuco Purum Llaqta, Cheto Purum Llaqta, Soloco Pusharo Pusuquy Pata Phuyupatamarka Qaqapatan Qillqatani Quchapata Qillqa Qillqay Mach'ay Quchapampa Quiaca Qullqanpata Qullqapampa Qulu Qulu Qunchamarka Qunchupata Qurikancha Qurimarka, Apurímac Qurimarka, Cusco Quriwayrachina, Anta Quriwayrachina, Ayacucho Quriwayrachina, La Convención Quyllur Q'arachupa Qasa Pata Q'illaywasin Q'inqu Q'inq'u Raimondi Stele Raqch'i Revash Rumiqullqa Rumiwasi Runkuraqay Saksaywaman Sara Sara Sayaqmarka Sayhuite Sechin Sillustani Sipán Suntur Susupillu Tambo Totem Tampu Mach'ay, Cusco Tampu Mach'ay, Huancavelica Tampukancha Tanqa Tanqa Tantarica Taqrachullu Tarawasi Tarmatampu The Frogs of Wiraqucha Tinyaq Tipón Titiqaqa Toquepala Caves Toro Muerto Trinchera Fortress Túcume Tunanmarka Tunay Q'asa Tupu Inka T'akaq T'uqu T'uquyuq Uchkus Inkañan Ullantaytampu Urpish Uskallaqta Usnu, Ayacucho Usnu, Huánuco Uyu Uyu Venado cautivo Ventarron Vitcos Wak'a del Dragón Wak'a Wallamarka Wak'a de la Luna Wak'a del Sol Wak'a of San Marcos Wak'a of Santa Ana Wak'a Prieta Wak'a Pukllana Wallpayunka Waman Pirqa Wamanmarka, Chumbivilcas Wamanmarka, La Convención Wamp'uy Wanakawri, Cusco Wanakawri, Huánuco Wanqaran Wanuku Pampa Waqlamarka Waqramarka Waqra Pukara Waqutu Warahirka Waraqayuq Waraqu Urqu Warawtampu Wari ruins Wari Willka Waruq Wat'a, Cusco Wat'a, Huánuco Wayna Pikchu Wayna Q'inti Wayna Tawqaray Wayra Punku Wichama Wichqana Wich'un Wila Wilani Willka Willkapampa Willkaraqay Willkawaman Willkawayin Wiñaw Wiñay Wayna Wiraqucha Pirqa Wiraquchapampa Yanaca Yanaqi - Qillqamarka Yaynu Yuraq Mach'ay Zorro Temple

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