Moray (Inca Terraces)
Maras, Cusco, Peru
A cluster of large circular terraced depressions near Maras in Peru’s Cusco Region, widely attributed to Inca-period earthworks and debated for their function (agricultural experimentation vs. ceremonial or other uses).
Claims about Moray (Inca Terraces)
- Moray is a complex of large circular terraced depressions attributed to the Inca period
- The terraced depressions produce measurable microclimates (temperature gradients)
- One influential hypothesis: Moray was used for agricultural experimentation or crop acclimatization
- Alternative disputed hypothesis: the terraces were built by modifying pre-existing natural depressions
- Popular sensational narratives (e.g., ‘alien landing site’) are not supported by mainstream archaeological/engineering sources
- Moray makes most sense when viewed as part of a broader Inca landscape (Maras, salt pans, Cusco route network)
Evidence
- Official tourism inventory entry for Moray (MINCETUR)
- Encyclopedic overview + coordinates (Wikipedia)
- Map-based geodata reference (Mapcarta / OSM-derived)
- Open-license photograph of Moray terraces (Wikimedia Commons)
- Government-hosted synthesis referencing microclimate and terrace agriculture (MINAM PDF)
- Travel-literature snippet noting early photography and physical dimensions (Google Books)
- Alternate naming and identifiers (Wikidata item)
- Topography dataset for terrain context (NASA SRTMGL1)
- Image collection for Moray (Wikimedia Commons category)