Water Mirrors

They are two round-shaped containers, carved in a natural granite outcrop, similar to mortars, which is why this place is known as: “The Room of Mortars”, they are located on the floor of one of the rooms of the temple of the Virgins of the Sun.

As a result of recent research, it has been determined that these samples called mortars (grinders) do not have the ideal characteristics to perform such a purpose – a concave base or a smooth surface for grinding – on the contrary, they are containers with a flat and rough base. Similar to these exist in other places in the Andes called “qochas” or liturgical containers; they can be made of stone, ceramic or wood, which served to contain the water brought from the sacred lakes and rivers in order to make observations of the reflection of the sun, the moon and the stars; functioning in this way as a mirror of water.

Knowing the energetic influence of the moon on women, the Virgins of the Sun of Machu Picchu used these gochas to carry out their various rituals in honor of Mama Killa (Mother Moon). These rituals were performed according to the lunar periods and phenomena, which were observed in these gochas; and they did so with fasting, prayers and chants, invoking the divine Mama Killa to never abandon them and to always help them strengthen their chastity (virginity).

Regarding the enclosure that houses these mirrors of water, there is currently debate about whether or not this enclosure had a roof; Kenneth Wrigth and Alfredo Valencia assume that it did not.