The project rescues ancestral Andean storage systems and local food conservation practices, through the design and construction of a warehouse inspired by the colcas of Inca and pre-Inca times, to strengthen food security in the Moray area in the face of climate change.
How did they work?
Built using materials from the environment such as ichu, stone, and clay, these storage facilities varied in size, shape, and design. They had natural ventilation and temperature control systems, and were oriented towards the direction of the wind and the Apus. The shapes could be circular, square, or rectangular and were determined by the products to be stored.
How is our colca?
Our colca is built with materials from the environment, such as ichu, stone, and clay. It integrates traditional knowledge from local communities with modern science and reproduces three distinct microclimates, allowing for the preservation of tubers, grains, and seeds.
Why preserve in colcas?
On one hand, it re-evaluates traditional knowledge about sustainable food conservation technologies, as it is recovered in the same environment and in dialogue with its original time. Also, the meeting of that knowledge with modern science brings new possibilities for food security. Finally, on a large scale, this same Andean technology could be adapted to other parts of the world, where similar environmental and food challenges are also faced.
