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William Park is BBC Future’s social media producer. She says the puquios were vital in “controlling water distribution by those in power over the communities that came under their influence.” Knowing how to bring water to one of the driest places on earth means that you hold the very key to life itself. These structures show the native people of the Nasca basin were not only highly organised, but that their society was structured in a hierarchy, says Lasaponara. “Maintenance was likely based on a collaborative and socially organised system, similar to that adopted for the construction of the famous ’Nasca lines‘ which in some cases are clearly related to the presence of water.” The quality of construction was so good, that some of the puquios still function today. That meant a regular dependable water supply for centuries, in an area that’s one of the most arid places on Earth. “What is really impressive is the great efforts, organisation and cooperation required for their construction and regular maintenance,” she says.
