Quriwayrachina, La Convención, Archaeological site in La Convención Province, Peru.

Quriwayrachina is an archaeological site in La Convención Province with over 100 circular buildings, agricultural terraces, and grain storage facilities spread across hillsides in the Cusco region. The buildings are connected by a sophisticated irrigation system that made farming possible in this mountain terrain.

Peter Frost found a walking trail in 1999 and led archaeologists to the site in June 2001. They recorded 6 square kilometres of terraces, more than 100 circular buildings, an 8 km irrigation canal and a tomb beneath the open plaza. The outpost is dated to the early 13th century, was abandoned and later resettled; it had already been looted before the researchers arrived.

The Quechua name combines quri (gold) and wayrachina, an oven for smelting metal, referring to the wind-powered furnaces described by chronicler Pedro de Sies de León: clay pots with air holes, filled with charcoal and ore, set on windy ridges. The site lies beside ancient Inca mines, and more than 200 structures are scattered across the surrounding hills.

The location sits in a remote mountain setting and requires careful planning to reach from the nearest town in La Convención. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and familiarize themselves with the local trails and conditions.

An irrigation canal about 8 kilometers long runs through the site and shows advanced water engineering techniques used by early inhabitants. This engineering work was needed to make farming possible in this high mountain area.