A new archaeological find in Machu Picchu surprises science. The archaeological park keeps among its dense vegetation Inca Trails in a length of at least two and a half kilometers that were recently detected with the use of technology, reported the Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cusco.
The use of LiDAR remote sensing technology allowed the identification of at least 2.5 kilometers of pre-Hispanic roads in the surroundings of the Mandor Wall, located to the east in the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park. The technology identified platforms and terraces of roads that lead to the Inca Citadel, during preliminary archaeological reconnaissance work carried out last July.
The discovery was made through coordinated work between the Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cusco and the Center for Andean Studies of the University of Warsaw.
In this regard, archaeologist Nino del Solar Velarde, responsible for the Coordination of Archaeological Research of Machu Picchu, explained that LiDAR technology works through laser light pulses that allow information to be obtained from the surface even in places covered by dense vegetation.
“This technology is based on and works through laser light pulses,” explained Del Solar, who highlighted that its application in archaeology allows to identify structures that can remain hidden under vegetation without the need for invasive interventions.
He explained that at least 1.2 kilometers in length have a layout and characteristics compatible with construction techniques of the Inca era, such as a zigzag route.
From the cultural entity they highlighted the importance of the discovery that will allow to expand knowledge about the territorial configuration, access systems and spaces that were part of the cultural landscape of Machu Picchu, an intervention that was carried out in scientific cooperation with the Center for Andean Studies of the University of Warsaw.
Technology to explore hard-to-reach areas
In the case of Machu Picchu, the application of this tool allowed to recognize a network of roads linked to the Mándor Wall, a monument previously known by researchers and located in an area of difficult access due to the characteristics of its geography, as well as the presence of a particular flora and fauna.
According to the specialist, laser pulses allow to generate, from their return, a cloud of points and high-resolution three-dimensional models, which facilitates the recognition of archaeological evidence that is not easily visible from the surface.
The research carried out last July allowed us to identify platforms, terraces and paths in the surroundings of the wall. Of the recorded total, approximately 1.2 kilometers have a route and characteristics compatible with construction techniques of the Inca era, including a zigzag route.
“The roads are new findings as they allow different spaces from the area of the wall to itself,” said Del Solar.
A zigzag road stands out among the findings
One of the main discoveries corresponds precisely to a zigzag path, whose design has characteristics that, according to specialists from the University of Warsaw and the DDC of Cusco, would be compatible with the paths built during the Inca era.
The archaeologist specified that, in addition to the 2.5 kilometers of sections of paths detected, in some points possible platforms or enclosures have been observed.
However, he clarified that this evidence must still be verified by field archaeological research, with the purpose of establishing its use, function, chronology and state of conservation.
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