Cuzco - Three Levels of Masonary - Peru


Cuzco has a claim to be one of the oldest cities in the world, as almost as much of its still standing architecture is ancient Peruvian as modern; the ancient portions however, seldom extending above the lower courses. But in one narrow street at least, the Callejon de Loreto, the prehistoric masonry towers up to a height of 20 feet or more throughout the whole of its length and on both sides, a wonderful vision of strength and durability. In parts of the town three separate strata may be seen; first a fe courses of polygenal masonry, next a layer of Inca architecture consisting of smaller and squared but still beautifully laid blocks, and finally, to crown the whole, some haphazard and flimsy dwelling houses of today.

From Wonders of the Past