Moray–An Agricultural Experimental Laboratory

The Inca civilization was  advanced and organized in so many different ways. The three golden rules that guided the civilization were: Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not be lazy. The Incas were extremely industrious, and their engineers and architects were extremely exact. The had no concept of money, but “taxes” were collected in the form of three months of labor per year from every male. Everything belonged to the state. In return for working and doing whatever the state wanted, the families were provided for. There was no hunger. Everybody had everything they needed. It was a truly socialist civilization.

About an hour drive from Ollantaytambo is an archaeological site named Moray. This site is a spectacular illustration of the Incas´ forward thinking and their priorities for the common good. Moray is located at 11,000 feet of elevation, and it was used as a laboratory for growing corn seeds that would produce corn at varying elevations. They built terraces in concentric rings, down in a depression, which varied in temperature, according to elevation and sun angle. They grew different seeds on different terraces of different temperatures, then they took those seeds to areas that duplicated the conditions. Using this method, they developed seeds that were resistant to frost, and that would grow in limited sunlight or full sun, and they took those seeds and planted them in the best sites in the Andes.

We spent a few hours at Moray with Deb and Steve. We went down to the bottom, where it was almost ten degrees warmer than it was on top. Of course, after descending and leaving an offering down at the bottom, we had to climb back up.

A fascinating place that speaks of planning, abundance, and preparation.