The Ingenious Methods behind the Inca’s Intricate Stone Walls (Video)
Peru's Inca stone walls have long fascinated archaeologists and visitors alike. Made of irregularly shaped stones that interlock so seamlessly that even a razor blade can't be inserted between them, these walls have puzzled researchers for centuries. How did a culture that lacked iron tools build such impressive and intricate walls? What construction methods did the Inca use?
A new explanation has emerged that challenges long-held beliefs. According to this hypothesis, the Inca used a reddish glittery mud, composed mainly of quartz and feldspar, to perfect their stone masonry. This mud allowed the builders to create perfectly jointed stones of different shapes and sizes. The high quartz and feldspar content in the stone structures of Peru supports this theory. The mystery of the Inca stone walls may finally be unraveled, revealing a fascinating story of ancient engineering and innovation.
Top image: Inca stone wall. Source: mikevanschoonderwalt / Adobe Stock.
Comments
I think there is a misconception of these blocks being joined together like we lay bricks. That is that joint runs all the way from the front to the back. These Incan walls (I have been there and seen with my own eyes) do not join the blocks in depth. In fact the only place some of the rocks join together is at the face where you can see the. The wall are back filled with rubble to wedge the stones in place. These walls are an illusion of bein solid. There are so really ancient walls in Cusco where they give the impression of being a rextangular block convincingly. But the rear of these walls are filled in and the rear cannot be veiwed. I might add that there is a small wall buy the Hitching Post of the sun at Machupichu that is not Incan. It is a solid block wall that looks as if it came from a medevil cathedral. It does not match anything else on this site by far. All I amtrying to say is these wall are not a solid wall. They are big boulders that have had the visible edges worn down so they fit together tightly on the face and they do not join much after that.
I think there is a misconception of these blocks being joined together like we lay bricks. That is that joint runs all the way from the front to the back. These Incan walls (I have been there and seen with my own eyes) do not join the blocks in depth. In fact the only place some of the rocks join together is at the face where you can see the. The wall are back filled with rubble to wedge the stones in place. These walls are an illusion of bein solid. There are so really ancient walls in Cusco where they give the impression of being a rextangular block convincingly. But the rear of these walls are filled in and the rear cannot be veiwed. I might add that there is a small wall buy the Hitching Post of the sun at Machupichu that is not Incan. It is a solid block wall that looks as if it came from a medevil cathedral. It does not match anything else on this site by far. All I amtrying to say is these wall are not a solid wall. They are big boulders that have had the visible edges worn down so they fit together tightly on the face and they do not join much after that.
This is probably the most plausible theory I’ve seen so far, and it’s supported by early observation and documentation by explorers. What’s also interesting is that similar shaped blocks are seen in Egypt; not as severely shaped but still tightly conforming to adjacent blocks.
A couple of questions remain:
There are corners formed by adjacent inner corner blocks, with one block’s extension making a right or left angle and joining to the companion block. How was that done?
And if the ‘moulding’ of the upper block to the lower is achieved by the weight of the upper stone, what causes the blocks beside each other in the wall to conform to the next if no weight would or could be placed on the adjacent block except by imposed lateral force?
Inca supposedly them selves denied that they had anything to do with these walls when the conquistadors came about.Walls which are built much later are less sophisticated.Today considering we have the tools nobody is trying or ever came close to replicate such structures.In any case these walls are bright example of high level craftsmanship!