ABSTRACT
The ad 300–1100 pre-Columbian site of Tiwanaku located on the high altiplano of Bolivia demonstrated an advanced use of hydrologic and hydraulic science for urban and agricultural applications. The water control network in Tiwanaku city is analyzed by Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling of transient surface and groundwater aquifer flows to illustrate the function of the drainage canal in both rainy and dry seasons. Water collecting in the drainage channel from aquifer drainage, rainy season runoff and flow from canals intersecting the drainage channel rapidly exited through connecting canals to the Tiwanaku River to limit groundwater recharge during the rainy season. While groundwater control mastery is apparent in the urban setting, additional research on Tiwanaku raised field agriculture indicates similar advances in use of groundwater control technology not previously reported in the literature. The management of water systems within the city demonstrates hydrologic engineering expertise consistent with that found in Tiwanaku’s raised-field agriculture and demonstrates Tiwanaku hydrologic engineering mastery.
