Written by:
peru.travel
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
When you least expect it, the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has a new reason to be visited. Because apart from all the wonders that you have at sight, there are mysterious secrets not revealed yet. In this time, thanks to the drones and laser technology, a complex and unique network of stone channels was found in the archaeological site of Chachabamba. This finding was published in the academic journal “Journal of Archaeological Science”.
The current conditions of this area in the region of Cusco are not the best for the archaeological works since the dense vegetation covers a large part of this place. Therefore, high technology was used, and drones were equipped with special lasers to drill the foliage that covers Chachabamba, an Inca archaeological site located in the left edge of the Vilcanota River. Thus, this new network of stone channels was discovered which was used by the Incas to legitimate its domination.
After several studies, it was concluded that the relics that comprise the set of channels had a strictly ceremonial function. In total, there were 14 structures identified in the surroundings of Chachabamba, at exactly 8 kilometers from the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This finding, made in areas which were inaccessible for the human, will allow continuing to discover the history and knowledge that ruled the Inca civilization, apart from the ceremonial roles that had these water systems.
A ceremonial area in Chachabamba. Credit: D. Sieczkowska.
More clues about the importance of Chachabamba
Dominika Sieczkowska, deputy director of the Organization and Development at the Center for Andean Studies of the University of Warsaw (Poland) led this research. Besides, scientists of the University of Science and Technology of Wroclaw and specialists of the Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cusco were part of it.
“Only very privileged people can arrive to Machu Picchu because it was a very special place. When you went there, you had to stop in Chachabamba to take a spiritual bath to be clean and pure to arrive to Machu Picchu”, described Sieczkowska by giving clues about the importance of this expedition with drones that allowed to know in depth this ceremonial space.
“Currently, the scientific support to consider this monument as a place of worship is greater because of the use of water, among others, that is possibly related to the purification ceremonies or ablutions. Right now, we know that this place seems to have had just a ceremonial role, where the huaca and baths played a key function in the religious landscape of the region in the consecration of the apu Salkantay and the citadel of Machu Picchu”, Sieczkowska added.
Some of the structures hidden by the vegetation identified with LiDAR scanner. Credit: D. Sieczkowska.
Interesting fact
The study conducted by the Organization and Development at the Center for Andean Studies of the University of Warsaw sustains that Chachabamba was the most important site in the archaeological areas close to Machu Picchu.
Sources: Journal of Archaeological Science / Andina
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