[4] Royal estates served also as elegant country palaces and, at times, fortresses to fend off rivals for power.

Mitmaqkuna were families or whole ethnic groups who were relocated to new lands in the empire or settled in enclaves among the earlier inhabitants of an area.

The purpose was to distribute different ethnic groups widely, thus separating potential troublemakers and reducing the possibility of organized resistance to the Incas.

Sixteenth century Spanish sources identify more than 40 ethnic groups found in one area of the Sacred Valley, an indication of the degree of resettlement and population disruption undertaken by the Incas during their reign.

During their time at Huchuy Qosqo the Spanish demolished some other Inca structures to build the larger reservoir you see today.

Below the main Huchuy Qosqo site is the recently restored store houses qolqas for dried meat and crops such as corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans.

In this two story structure, you can see the historic cooling storage system known as ´conjeras.´ This site is inaccessible by public road and only reached by a physically strenuous hike or on horseback.

The walk from this viewpoint to the north entrance of the ruins is about 150 m (490 ft), and runs past a few houses inhabited by local farmers.