Lithic landscape models and hydraulic imaginaries in the Colca Valley, Peru

Abstract

Dating to the pre‐Hispanic era, carved stone sculptures of terraced landforms – maquetas – found in the south‐central Andes evoke topographic models. The purpose of these maquetas has eluded archaeologists as the lithic landscapes do not correspond precisely to the terrain and could not have served as maps. By centring irrigation as a fundamental concern among communities of the semi‐arid western cordillera of the south‐central Andes, we draw from science and technology studies (STS) to analyse the maquetas as sociotechnical representations that enacted flowing water as a capricious but ultimately ‘teachable’ entity. We argue that the maquetas helped to ground hydraulic knowledge through proprioception, aiding construction of intricate canal systems.