![]() Located around 50km north of the former Inca capital of Cuzco and 3,500m above sea level, it demonstrates how andenes were used to create a range of microclimates. ![]() ![]() One of the most impressive is the Peruvian archaeological site of Moray, which resembles a natural amphitheatre. ![]() Some look like giant green staircases carved into the mountainside, while others are made up of sets of concentric circles, capturing the attention like an optical illusion. The Maya's ingenious secret to survivalīeyond their ingenuity, andenes also have an artistic quality, forming vast geometric patterns on the landscapes of the Andes.The upshot was a dramatic increase in the overall amount of food produced. This enabled farmers to grow dozens of different crops, from maize and potatoes to quinoa and coca, many of which would not otherwise have survived in the region. They also conserved water, reduced soil erosion and – thanks to stone walls that absorbed heat during the day and then released it at night – protected plants from severe frosts. Fed by artificial pools and elaborate irrigation systems, andenes significantly expanded the area of cultivable land. They allowed Andean communities to overcome challenging environments, including steep slopes, thin soils, extreme and sharply fluctuating temperatures, and scant or seasonal rainfall.
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