Marpa, Peru facts for kids
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| Location |  PeruLa Union Province, Arequipa |
|---|---|
| Type | Settlement |
Marpa is an ancient town in ruins, found high up in the Andes mountains of southern Peru. It sits along the amazing Cotahuasi Canyon, a very deep and wild place. This town was built long, long ago, even before the Spanish arrived in South America. Marpa gives us clues about the people who lived in this part of Peru centuries ago.
Contents
Exploring the Cotahuasi Canyon
The Cotahuasi Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is located in the Arequipa Region of Peru. The Cotahuasi River starts in the Wansu mountain range. It then flows southwest for about 300 kilometers (186 miles). Finally, it reaches the Pacific Ocean as the Ocoña River.
A Special Natural Area
In 1988, the Cotahuasi Canyon was named a "Zona Reserva Turistica." This means it is a special area for tourism and nature. Even though it is a protected place, not much is known about the canyon or the ancient town of Marpa. The first rafting trips down the canyon happened in 1994. This shows how wild and unexplored it still was.
Ancient Roads and Cultures
Long ago, before Europeans came to South America, the Inca Empire had a well-used road system. One of these important roads went right through the Cotahuasi Canyon. Parts of this old Inca road can still be seen today.
Traces of Older Civilizations
Historians believe the Inca road might have been built on top of an even older path. This older path was likely made by the Wari culture. The Wari were a powerful group of people. They lived in the highlands of central and southern Peru. They were very important between 500 AD and 900 AD. Finding their roads shows how long people have lived and traveled in this area.
What Remains Today
When you visit the Marpa area, you can still see many signs of ancient life. Besides the old roads, there are ruins of farming terraces. These terraces were built on hillsides to grow crops. You can also find old staircases carved into the land. And there are ancient tombs, where people were buried long ago. These ruins help us imagine what life was like for the people of Marpa.
See also
In Spanish: Marpa (Perú) para niños
