Cumbe Mayo and Bosque de Piedras

The Bosque de Piedras (Stone Forest) is an area about 12 miles from Cajamarca, Peru, where there is a proliferation of stone outcropping. It is perched on the Andes at a point where water drains to the Atlantic and to the Pacific, a continental divide. There is evidence that people have used this natural phenomenon for religious purposes for milenia.

Ancient culture flourished in the Cajamarca region for thousands of years. It became an administrative center of Wari culture, which flourished about 500-1000 AD. This was a period of empire building in the south-central Andes and coastal area of modern-day Peru. Extensive road building and terrace agriculture were two major features of the Wari. Centuries later, the Inca expanded this empire and the network of roads, extending from Quito, Ecuador to central Chile.

The stone forest comprises many unusual natural formations. Some niches were used for ceremonial purposes, as evidenced by ancient carvings in the stone. My tour group is about to pass through a narrow passageway through the rock. It is completely dark inside, with a curve and uneven terrain. Fortunately it is a rather short passage, though spooky.

We successfully pass through to the other side of the forest.

This young girl is spinning wool, probably alpaca, posing for tips from tourists. The large hat is worn by indigenous women, though usually not by girls. I was told that the hat is a measure of wheat in the village market. Bright colors are typical in the dress of women in the Andes mountains.

These strange natural rock formations suggest figures of animals, though I don't see any in this photo.

Cumbe Mayo is located about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the city of Cajamarca, at an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet (3,300 meters). The location is best known for the ruins of a Pre-Incan aqueduct stretching approximately five miles in length. The aqueduct collected water from the Atlantic watershed and redirected it on its way to the Pacific Ocean. It is thought to have been constructed around 1500 B.C. and was once thought to be the oldest existing man-made structure in South America. The name Cumbe Mayo may be derived from a Quechua phrase, kumpi mayu, meaning “well-made water channel,” or humpi mayo, meaning “thin river.” (courtesy Wikipedia)

This zig-zag in the course of the aqueduct had a specific purpose, causing a whirlpool which would affect the speed of the water. In some places the channel narrows which causes the water to run faster and thus rise in elevation. And this channel ran for five miles!

There are a number of petroglyphs on the aqueduct and surrounding caverns.

The weather here in the austral winter is dry and clear, with cool evenings and warm days. The 4-hour tour was led by Miguel, an expert in ancient history of the area, and we were a group of about 20 tourists.