The antiquity of the Maras salt mines is a somewhat confusing subject and is still debated among experts. However, there are two main theories:

1. pre-Inca origin:

The construction of the salt mines is estimated to date back to a period between 500 AD and 1100 AD, being attributed to the Wari civilization, which preceded the Inca Empire.
Archaeological evidence, such as architecture and construction techniques, supports this theory.
It is presumed that the Wari exploited salt for their own consumption, trade and religious rituals.

2. Inca development:

During the height of the Inca Empire (15th and 16th centuries), the salt mines of Maras underwent a remarkable expansion and optimization.
The Incas incorporated the salt mines into their production and distribution network, assigning their management to local communities.
Salt was a crucial resource for the Incas, used for food preservation, ceremonies and medicinal purposes.

Present day:

The Maras salt mines are still in operation today, with artisanal production that has endured for more than 500 years.
Local families preserve the ancestral knowledge of salt extraction and processing.
The salt mines have become an important tourist attraction in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

In summary, the Maras salt mines are between 500 and 1100 years old.