Evidencia desde fotos satelitales de alta resolución de la existencia de acequias antiguas sobre el altiplano boliviano similar a los descrito por Platón

By J.M. Allen

Above left, the traditional grid of parallel canals on the rectangular, level plain of Atlantis. "And on the inland side of the city, channels were cut in straight lines, … and they transported also on boats the seasons' products, by cutting transverse passages from one channel to the next"…Plato

Above right, theoretical drawing showing how the grid of canals fits the rectangular Altiplano, with Pampa Aullagas at its centre where the city should be.

At last the Altiplano gives up its secrets! These channels on the Bolivian Altiplano north west of La Paz region are in regular plots of 330ft confirming the use of the 330ft stade to describe the rectangular plain next to Lake Poopo.

In most regions, the underlying system of regular canals in straight lines has disappeared, but in this region north west of La Paz remains of these channels at 330 ft intervals can be clearly seen.

In the dry season the channels are not so easy to see but the underlying pattern can still be picked out on this satellite image.

The satellite measures these channels 220 feet apart - that is two thirds of the 330ft Atlantis stade plot or one third of a furlong and making it 200 Sumerian feet.

The satellite measures these channels 660 feet apart - that is one furlong or the equivalent of two of the 330ft Atlantis stade plots wide. The differential growth produces different tones which show there were formerly square plots.

The satellite measures another section of channels 660 feet apart - one furlong or the equivalent of two of the 330ft Atlantis stade plots wide. Here again the differential growth produces different tones which show there were formerly square plots.

The satellite measures these channels 1320 feet apart - that is two furlongs or the equivalent of four of the 330ft Atlantis stade plots wide. Intermediate channels and cultivations have disappeared owing to the passage of time.

The satellite measures these channels 660 feet apart - a standard furlong and the equivalent of two of the 330ft Atlantis stade plots wide.

The satellite measures these channels 330 feet apart - the standard with of the "Atlantis Stade" used to define the rectangular plain in the region of Lake Poopo.

Sometimes the intermediate channels have disappeared, leaving as here for example a distance of 3 x 330ft units apart.

In this instace, the surrounding channels have disappeared leaving only two channels 330ft apart.

We can still detect regular plots, in this instance 1 furlong of 660ft i.e. 2 x 330ft stades in size.

Differential growth caused perhaps by different crops in adjoining fields makes this square plot of 330ft stand out.

Sometimes difficult to detect at first, when we zoom in we find the remains of these diagonal channels.
The satellite measures these channels to be about 360 Egyptian Royal Cubits of 20.625" apart.

A closer view confirms the set of channels to the left to also be separated by a distance of about 360 Egyptian Royal Cubits of 20.625".
Both Egyptan Royal Cubits (of 20.625") and what we call Sumerian cubits (of 19.8") belong to the same measuring system and are related in the ration of 25/24.
Click here for Atlantis stade for further explanation

Various types of agricultural systems existed on the Altiplano of which parallel canals or regular square plots are but one example. Many of the original canals have now disappeared owing to the time that has passed and also re-cultivation by later peoples.

The photos below are in the Oruro region. Although not showing the perfect squares as above, they still show parallel canals with other channels at right angles.

High resolution satellite image showing ancient parallel canals on the Altiplano near Lake Poopo.

Enlargement. The parallel canals are approximately 550 to 600ft (167metres to 183metres) apart with intermediate canals 275 to 327ft (84 to 100 metres) apart.

enlargement

Many of the ancient channels are barely visible at first

Enlargement begins to show them clearly

It is probable that there have been canals in this region from time immemorial. The photo shows how later newer canals have been dug diagonally across the zone with older canals fading beneath them into the desert.

canal fed by well, internal diameter 60ft

the canal disappears under rio Desaguadero.

straight canals continue under the borders of the rio Desaguadero.

Another system of wandering channels like canalised rivers crosses the straight canals and appears to link up a system of wells fed originally from the underground water table.

These canals are supplied by a system of wells connected by feeder canals - possibly later attempts to supply water from the underground water table due to the changing climate.

Detail of well supplying canal system. The well has an outer diameter of 200ft. It appears to be of recent construction but all the same the water level appears to be too low for the system to function today.

Detail of another well 200ft in diameter, it is not clear (from photos) if it an ancient or more modern attempt to supply water to the canals.

Section of canalised river with wells feeding straight canals. Some of the canals are still in use today but the vast majority appear to be abandoned and the cultivations fallen into disuse. Recently, attempts have been made to expand the cultivation of quinoa in the region.

Irrigation canals with feeder channel and well.

canals disappearing under present-day lake UruUru. These may be more recent constructions as they lack the symetry of the perfect squares found in the Titicaca region.

enlargement of canals in chequerboard pattern on the edges of present-day lake UruUru

This chequerboard pattern appears to be a recent attempt at cultivation as it lacks the precision of earlier field patterns.

canals beneath present day salt desert, Oruro region.

remains of canal 165ft wide "bringing water down from the mountains".

CLICK for canals gallery

Chipaya
Click here for Chipaya canals gallery

Peru
Click here for Peru canals gallery

Caral
Click here for Caral, Peru containment canal.

Paria, Oruro
Click here for Paria, Oruro containment canals.

Tabasco, Mexico
Click here for Tabasco, Mexico canals gallery

Atlantis stade
Click here for Atlantis stade

Atlantis cubits between Altiplano canals
Click here for cubits between altiplano canals

Teotihuacan measuring unit
Click here for Teotihuacan measuring unit

Lost Calendar of the Andes
Click here for the Lost calendar of the Andes

geoforms
Click here for variety of agricultural formations on the Bolivin Altiplano