Thousands of uneven square-shaped ponds dot the slopes of the hillside less than a kilometer west of the town.
These pre-Inca salt pools were constructed during the Chanapata culture between AD 200 and AD 900.
The flow of water is carefully controlled and monitored by the workers.
The pond’s keeper then closes the water-feeder notch and allows the pond to go dry.
The salt pools are traditionally allotted to the citizens of Maras wishing to harvest salt.
Usually there are many unused salt pools available to be farmed.
