Torrential rains in Cusco damage Inca wall at Sacsayhuamán

January 14, 2010

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Heavy rains have not only affected Lima this year, what is traditionally the start of the Andean wet-season has also seen rains heavier than usual, some even damaging ancient walls at the Inca site of Sacsayhuamán.

Damage (ANDINA / Fernando Zora-Carvajal)

Part of the famous zig-zagged wall has been damaged after heavy rain. Washington Camacho, director of the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park informed news agencies that the collapse of the wall occurred about 2a.m. on the morning of the 14th of January after an accumulated 27 litres per square metre of rain fell.

Work already under way (ANDINA / Fernando Zora-Carvajal)

Some 40 Inca stone bricks of significant size formed part of the area that collapsed, but work is already under way to repair the damage.

According to Camacho work should be completed in 45 days after funds were immediately released. Two archaeologists, one architect and 30 labourers will be involved in the restoration.

Other areas of the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park, which contain some 50 archaeological sites, are being monitored to prevent further damage.