Puquios and Aqueducts in the Central Andes of South America

Complex hydraulic systems are a mainstay of South America, and especially the Andean region (Denevan 2001). In fact, the Central Andes were considered a key area in the development of “hydraulic society” theory (sensu Wittfogel 1957; see Steward 1955; see also, Mitchell 1973; Stanish 1994; Lane 2009 for reappraisals of this theory’s applicability to the Andes). As such ancient hydraulic technology in the Andes was varied, geographically diverse, and extensive. That said, the use of underground aqueducts otherwise known as filtration galleries or puquios (the local indigenous name for these structures) was only present in a few select places across the Andes.