By Lindsey Atkinson
Peru lies on the western side of South America:
approximately 100 miles off the coast in the Pacific Ocean the Nazca plate is subducted
under the South American plate forming the Peru-Chile (Atacama) Trench. As a result Peru is subject to frequent
earthquakes* and sometimes even tsunamis (e.g. 1996 and 2001).
Adobe house |
Huaca Pucllana |
The
Incas (1200-1542 AD) built with stone.
For example the temple of Qorikancha in Cusco (https://www.cuscoperu.com/en/travel/cusco/archaeological-centers/qorikancha)
demonstrates fine masonry with large, well–fitting, rectangular blocks of
stone. No mortar was used, but a fine
layer of sand between blocks allows for some movement during an earthquake. The structure has inward sloping walls which
provide stability and it is said that the trapezoid niches and doorways help
dissipate the energy of seismic tremors.
Sites such as Sacsayhuaman near Cusco have well-fitting, but this time, irregular
shaped blocks. This degree of
craftsmanship seems to have been reserved for religious sites and for the
nobility: other sites have rougher stonework with mud mortar and square niches.
Sacsayhuaman |
Qorikancha |
Lima Cathedral |
Probably the most famous site in Peru is the citadel of Machu
Picchu, abandoned shortly after the Spanish Conquest in the mid-1500s: one
theory is that this was to prevent it from being found by the Spanish. It remained hidden to all but local farmers
until 1911 when it was rediscovered by the American explorer, Hiram
Bingham. The ability of these structures to withstand earthquakes is largely anecdotal and have not been proven, although modern techniques allow for better assessment of their earthquake protection properties (see Cuadra et al. 2008). So far Machu Picchu has proved
to be remarkably earthquake resistant.
*Most recently on 15.08.16 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37084723)
Bibliography
Bankoff G. 2015. Seismic architecture and cultural adaptation to earthquakes. In: Krüger F, Bankoff G, Cannon T, Orlowski B, and Schipper L, eds. Cultures and disasters: Understanding cultural framings in disaster risk reduction. New York and London: Routledge.
Blondet M, Villa Garcia GM and Brzev S. 2003. Earthquake-Resistant Construction of Adobe Buildings: A Tutorial. Published as a contribution to the EERI/IAEE World Housing Encyclopedia, http://www.world-housing.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Adobe_Tutorial_English_Blondet.pdf
Cuadra C, Karkee MB and Tokeshi K. 2008. Earthquake risk to Inca’s historical constructions in Machupicchu. Adv. Eng. Software 39: 336-345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2007.01.002.
Smith J and Petley DN. 2007. Environmental hazards: assessing risk and reducing disaster. 5th edn. New York: Routledge.
Stewart A. 2013. The Inca Trail, Cusco and Machu Picchu. 5th edn. Trailblazer Publications. Surrey, UK
Bibliography
Bankoff G. 2015. Seismic architecture and cultural adaptation to earthquakes. In: Krüger F, Bankoff G, Cannon T, Orlowski B, and Schipper L, eds. Cultures and disasters: Understanding cultural framings in disaster risk reduction. New York and London: Routledge.
Blondet M, Villa Garcia GM and Brzev S. 2003. Earthquake-Resistant Construction of Adobe Buildings: A Tutorial. Published as a contribution to the EERI/IAEE World Housing Encyclopedia, http://www.world-housing.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Adobe_Tutorial_English_Blondet.pdf
Cuadra C, Karkee MB and Tokeshi K. 2008. Earthquake risk to Inca’s historical constructions in Machupicchu. Adv. Eng. Software 39: 336-345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2007.01.002.
Smith J and Petley DN. 2007. Environmental hazards: assessing risk and reducing disaster. 5th edn. New York: Routledge.
Stewart A. 2013. The Inca Trail, Cusco and Machu Picchu. 5th edn. Trailblazer Publications. Surrey, UK
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