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.
The site was first found as a walking trail in 1999 and then identified as an archaeological complex by British researcher Peter Frost in 2001. This discovery brought the location to light as an important place for understanding early settlements in the region.
The name comes from Quechua and means 'oven for smelting gold', pointing to the site's link with ancient metalworking practices. Visitors can still see how the buildings were arranged to support this craft activity.
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.
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