ABSTRACT
Pre-Columbian Andean societies constructed elaborate urban and agricultural water supply systems that provided the socioeconomic base for the development of their societies to state/empire levels. Underlying the design and usage of their water supply systems was knowledge of basic hydraulic and hydrological engineering principles. To discover their understanding of these principles, major Andean urban and agricultural water systems employing canals, aqueducts, flood control and drought remediation technologies were CFD modeled and computer analyzed to extract the civil engineering used in their design and usage. Origins of hydraulic science are examined at the preceramic Caral site in north coast Peru (2600–1600 bc), Bolivian Tiwanaku (ad 600–1100) and Inka Tipon (ad 1000–1432). Results indicate knowledge and employment of advanced hydraulic/hydrological engineering principles comparable to modern usage. Modern Complexity Theory is applied to understand the role of technology development on socioeconomic progress of major Andean societies. Complexity Theory examines effects of major ENSO drought and flood disaster events challenging Andean societal sustainability and details defensive measures used by these societies to maintain their continuity. Chapter 1 summarizes new findings of the hydraulic and hydrological engineering base underlying ancient Andean water systems that indicate an advanced knowledge base comparable to modern hydraulic science.
