Hidden for Centuries Near Machu Picchu, an Ancient System of Unknown Inca Roadways Has Resurfaced

Automatically curated summary from The Debrief.

According to a report by The Debrief, a Polish-Peruvian research team using drone-mounted LiDAR technology discovered over 1.6 miles of previously unknown Inca roadways near Peru’s Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park. Led by Bartłomiej Ćmielewski, Jeff Rocky Contreras Soto, and Prof. Mariusz Ziółkowski, the survey revealed roads, platforms, and terraces across the Urubamba Valley near the Mandor Wall. Researchers state these findings provide new evidence of Inca activity on the opposite bank of the valley. The team plans further remote-sensing and partial excavations through 2027 to verify findings.

Context and limitations

The reported structures are based on initial remote-sensing LiDAR analyses that require further verification through planned spot excavations; precise locations have been withheld by researchers to protect the sites from potential looting.