Surely during your trip to Peru you get to inquire and investigate about the places and small streets that you can find and visit in the Imperial City of Cusco I’m sure if you ask a traveler or backpacker who already meet this beautiful city you I’m sure He will mention Twelve-angled stone, located a few blocks from the main square of Cusco is a green stone (diorite stone) with 12 angles finely finished. In this blog we provide information with the different versions about the existence of this stone.
Location
The Twelve-angled stone is located on Hatunrumiyoc Street, just one block from The main Square called Plaza de Armas of Cusco.
What is the rock of 12 angles?
The Rock of 12 Angles, also known as “La Piedra de los 12 Ángulos” in Spanish, is a famous stone formation located in Cusco, Peru. It is a unique historical site that is renowned for its precise and intricate stone masonry. The rock is part of an ancient Inca wall in the neighborhood of San Blas, within the historic center of Cusco, which was once the capital of the Inca Empire.
The name “Rock of 12 Angles” comes from the distinct shape of the stone and the exceptional craftsmanship of the Inca stonemasons who cut and placed the stones with such precision that it created twelve angles in the rock’s surface. The precise fitting of these stones without the use of mortar is a remarkable example of Inca engineering and construction techniques.
How was the 12 angled stone made?
The creation of the 12 angled stone, along with other stonework in Inca architecture is a testament to the advanced engineering and craftsmanship skills of the Inca civilization. While the exact techniques used by the Inca stonemasons remain somewhat mysterious, several key elements of their construction methods have been studied and theorized by archaeologists and historians,some of which are as follows.
Stone Quarrying: The process likely began with the selection and quarrying of suitable stones. The Inca would carefully choose stones that were not only large enough for their intended purpose but also had the right shape and texture for easy cutting and fitting.
Stone Shaping: The next step was to shape the stones. The Inca used various tools, such as bronze or stone hammers, and hard minerals like diorite to cut and shape the stones. These tools allowed them to carve precise angles and edges on the stone blocks.
Dry Stone Construction: One of the most remarkable aspects of Inca construction is the lack of mortar or cement. Instead, they used a technique known as “dry stone construction.” This involved fitting stones together so precisely that they interlocked tightly, forming a stable and cohesive structure without the need for any binding material.
Trial and Error: The construction process likely involved a trial-and-error approach. The skilled stonemasons would test the fit of stones repeatedly and make adjustments as needed to achieve a perfect fit. It is believed that they used small stones, known as “chinkana,” to help level and stabilize the larger blocks during the construction process.
Precision: The Inca were known for their attention to detail and precision. The stones were cut and placed in such a way that they had multiple angles, creating a complex and interlocking pattern. This is how the famous 12 angled stone and other intricate structures were formed.
Time and Labor: Constructing these masterful stone structures required a significant amount of time and labor. It is estimated that thousands of skilled workers were involved in such projects. The exact techniques and knowledge were passed down through generations of stonemasons, ensuring the continuity of this impressive architectural tradition.
The specific methods used by the Inca stonemasons have been a subject of study and admiration, and they continue to capture the interest of researchers and visitors alike. The incredible precision and beauty of Inca stone masonry, including the Rock of 12 Angles, are a testament to the ingenuity and engineering capabilities of this ancient civilization.
Why is it Important?
Many travelers and local people think that this stone is famous for the amount of angles or vertices but this is not true and we discard this version because very close to the stone we can find stones that have 13 angles or 14 angles then we discard this version.
The Twelve-angled stone is currently one of the emblematic symbols of the city of Cusco, recognized and considered cultural patrimony of Peru, We can appreciate the image of the stone in several ticket, posters or tickets that delivers the municipality of Cusco.
At The present time the twelve angled stone is part of the Archiepiscopal palace formerly was the palace of Inca Roca who was the sixth Inca. The importance of this stone is highlighted in the fine finish that this has as well as the perfection in its angles has an approximate weight of 6 tons and a depth of 2 meters there is the theory that if the block of stone is removed from the inca wall it would collapse.
History
The Other version that exists of the existence of the stone of the 12 angles is that the stone is located exactly in the street that divided the city of Cusco in 2 parts (when the cusco city had the Puma form)
Thus dividing the city in Hanan Cusco and the Hurin Cusco (Cusco Down and Cusco Up) which divided exactly into 6 families on each side beyond the meaning it has or that can be found on the stone of the 12 angles is a work of engineering worthy of admiration.
Remains intact large and resistant to climate change and natural disaster that suffered the city of Cusco and especially remains intact to the attack of unscrupulous people that the 2014 had no better idea than to use an aerosol spray and write the initials of ‘ JHK ‘ , the pints were erased by specialists of the disconcerted Unit of Culture of Cusco from the date it is monitored by the police of Turisco of Cusco, Chambers of the Municipality of Cusco and a person dressed of Inca very apart from these cares is Obligation of all to take care of this great tourist attraction because to be able to appreciate and to take you photos they have no cost is free.
