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The Amazing New Adventures of Larry and Mark - Peru, Land of the Incas
Across the road from Tambo Machay is Puca Pucara
In Quechua, this means, "Red Fortress." I didn't notice it when we were there, but the
photos show clearly how red the stone is. Up on a hill, this site is believed to have
been a hunting lodge, fort, and storage facility. When the Emperor visited, perhaps
partaking of the baths at Tambo Machay, his retinue of soldiers, servants, and others
stayed here. Close to Cusco, much of the stone from this site was taken by the
Spaniards for building projects in Cusco, identified by its red color.
Arrow shows the front entry (also the rear one) to this chamber has a double-
door jamb - typical of Inca ceremonial areas.
Early television - the vertical format never made it.
And the actors had to live inside!
Not all Inca construction was tight-fitting. While the nobility had huge stones with precise construction, smaller stones were associated with more common citizens.
All the archeological sites are continually being repaired, upgraded, and maintained
by local workers.
"Dent de lyon" of Puca Pucara shown by red arrow.
Boy, that dandelion really gets around!
Inca construction to the "living rock." The Incan builders held the land and
rocks in reverence, and would build to them.
I have found no explanation for this series of low alcoves. The Incans
did not have tables, so inside houses these niches held idols and possessions.
But this isn't inside.
They definitely were not comfortable to lie in!
Mark and Helen Blazis pose overlooking the fields below Puca Pucara. These high-
elevation, well-drained fields were typically used to grow potatoes - the most important
staple in the Inca diet.
More soon!
Larry Reich
You may reach me with comments:
Laurence Reich
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