Tambomachay

{{Short description|Archaeological site in Peru}}

{{About||the archaeological site in the Huancavelica Region, Peru|Tampu Mach'ay, Huancavelica{{!}}Tampu Mach'ay, Huancavelica}}

{{Infobox ancient site

| name = Tambomachay

| native_name =

| alternate_name =

| image = Tambomachay, Cuzco, Perú, 2015-07-31, DD 89.JPG

| image_size = 280px

| alt =

| caption = View of Tambomachay.

| map_type = Peru

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| map_size =

| relief = yes

| coordinates =

| location = {{PER}}
Cusco District, Cusco

| region =

| type = Fortress

| part_of =

| length =

| width =

| area =

| height =

| builder =

| material =

| built =

| abandoned =

| epochs = Late Horizon

| cultures = Inca

| dependency_of =

| occupants =

| event =

| excavations =

| archaeologists =

| condition =

| ownership =

| management =

| public_access =

| website =

| notes =

}}

Tambomachay{{Cite web|url=https://ficha.sigmincetur.mincetur.gob.pe/index.aspx?cod_Ficha=905|title=GRUPO ARQUEOLÓGICO DE TAMBOMACHAY|publisher=MINCETUR|access-date=2017-05-29}} (possibly from Quechua tampu inn, guest house, mach'ay cave, or machay drunkenness, to get drunk or "spindle with thread"){{Ref Laime}}Diccionario Quechua - Español - Quechua, Academía Mayor de la Lengua Quechua, Gobierno Regional Cusco, Cusco 2005 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary) is an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, located near Cusco, Peru. An alternate Spanish name is El Baño del Inca ("the bath of the Inca").

It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks. It is situated near springs such as the one called Timpuc Puquiu, a boiling spring on the northern bank of the Timpuc River and the spring near Huaylla Cocha community.{{Cite book|title=The Sacred Landscape of the Inca: The Cusco Ceque System|last=Bauer|first=Brian S.|date=2010|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-70865-5|location=Austin|pages=76}} These natural springs were channeled through three waterfalls that still flow today.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UcA4DgAAQBAJ&dq=tambomachay+inca&pg=PT209|title=Moon Machu Picchu: Including Cusco & the Inca Trail|last=Dubé|first=Ryan|date=2016-11-01|publisher=Avalon Publishing|isbn=978-1-63121-386-1|language=en}}

The function of the site is uncertain: it may have served as a military outpost guarding the approaches to Cusco, as a spa resort for the Incan political elite{{cite book | last = Kaufmann | first = H. W. & J. E | title = Fortifications of the Incas: 1200-1531 | publisher = Osprey Publishing | date = 2006 | pages = 37 | isbn = 1-84176-939-8 }} or imperial baths.{{Cite book|title=The Rough Guide to Peru, Ninth Edition|last1=Jenkins|first1=Dilwyn|last2=Deere|first2=Kiki|date=2015-10-01|publisher=Rough Guides UK|isbn=978-0-241-24675-7|pages=231}} It could have also served a religious function{{Cite book|title=Fortifications of the Incas: 1200–1531|last1=Kaufmann|first1=H. W.|last2=Kaufmann|first2=J. E.|date=2012|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84908-046-0|location=Oxford|pages=37}} since sacred water fountains were found almost all of major Incan temple such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu. There are sources that refer to Tambomachay as one of the nine ceques built along the Road of Antisuyu, describing it as an Incan house where sacrifices were also made.{{Cite book|title=Inca Religion and Customs|last=Cobo|first=Bernabe|date=2004|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=0-292-73861-7|location=Austin|pages=63}}

{{clear}}

File:Tambomachay Cuzco Pérou (3).jpg

File:Tambomachay, Cuzco, Perú, 2015-07-31, DD 90.JPG|Three small baths at Tambomachay

File:Tambomachay, Cuzco, Perú, 2015-07-31, DD 85.JPG|Ancient ruins

File:Tambomachay, 2023 (08).jpg|Upper view

File:Tambomachay, Cuzco, Perú, 14.jpg|

File:Tambomachay 16.jpg|

File:Tambomachay, Cuzco, Perú, 17.jpg|

File:Tambomachay 22.jpg|

File:Tambomachay, Cuzco, Perú, 16.jpg|