Hydrogeological Modeling in the Archaeological Site Muyu Muyu—Chincheros—Apurímac

Peru is known for its archaeological wealth, ranging from the worldfamous ruins of Machu Picchu to numerous lesser-known but equally significant sites. One such site is the Muyu Muyu archaeological center, located in the district of Uranmarca, Apurímac. Despite its historical and cultural value, Muyu Muyu has not received the attention and care it deserves, leading to conservation issues that threaten its integrity. Among the main challenges this archaeological site faces is the slope inclination caused by soil pressure due to the saturation of the surrounding terrain. The accumulation of water in the soil can lead to an increase in pore pressure, reducing slope stability and increasing the risk of landslides. Solving this problem requires a multidisciplinary approach combining civil engineering, soil mechanics, and hydrogeology. Therefore, the installation of subdrains has been proposed, where 56.7 L per second (l/s) were obtained at the Muyu Muyu site. For this reason, the installation of crown channels is recommended as a preventive and corrective measure to mitigate the negative effects of soil saturation. The subdrains allowed for proper groundwater drainage, thus reducing pore pressure, and improving slope stability. In turn, the crown channels will collect and divert surface water, preventing it from infiltrating the soil and contributing to its saturation.