The discovery of this network of channels near the Inca city of Machu Picchu was made by a team of Polish researchers. Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World and one of the main reasons why thousands of tourists visit Peru every year to witness its greatness.
Just when it seemed like history knew everything about this archaeological complex, new secrets came to light.
The latest of these was the discovery of a hidden network of river channels beneath the thick jungle that surrounds Machu Picchu. The current conditions in this area of the Cusco region are not ideal for archaeological work, as dense vegetation covers much of the site.
For this reason, advanced technology was used, and drones equipped with special lasers were deployed to penetrate the foliage covering Chachabamba, an Inca archaeological site located on the left bank of the Vilcanota River.
This led to the discovery of this new network of stone channels, which was used by the Incas to legitimize their dominion.
After conducting various studies, it was concluded that the remnants comprising the network of channels had a strictly ceremonial function. In total, 14 structures were identified in the vicinity of Chachabamba, located less than 8 kilometers from the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
This discovery, made in areas that were once inaccessible to humans, will allow for further exploration of the history and knowledge that governed the Inca civilization, as well as the ceremonial functions of these water systems.
The researchers resorted to the use of new technologies such as LiDAR scanning, used for the first time in the region, due to the difficulty of scanning an area densely populated by vegetation.
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The importance of Chachabamba
Chachabamba is located in the Vilcanota valley in southeastern Peru. The archaeological remains located at that site are a main stone altar surrounded by fourteen baths that were probably used for ritual ablutions.
Water flowed to the site through canals fed by the Urubamba River, according to Dominika Sieczkowska, deputy director of organization and development at the Center for Andean Studies at the University of Warsaw, who led the research.
Dominika Sieczkowska, deputy director of Organization and Development of the Center for Andean Studies at the University of Warsaw (Poland), was in charge of leading this research. In addition, scientists from the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and specialists from the Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cusco participated.
“Only very privileged people could reach Machupicchu, 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 get to Machupicchu”, describes Sieczkowska, giving clues of the importance of this expedition with drones, which allowed to know more about this ceremonial space.
The worship of water among the Incas
The connection between Machu Picchu and water is not a recent one. One of the impressive architectural aspects of the city are the liturgical fountains that provided water to the entire city, along with a subway network of irrigation canals built to supply the agricultural terraces.
Over the years, a series of rectangular and circular structures, terraces, retaining walls, water channels and “funerary contexts” have been discovered in various parts of the citadel, demonstrating that in Machu Picchu, water was not only a necessity for daily life, but was also worshiped.
The Urubamba River, which the Incas knew as Willkamayu, was sacred to them: water symbolized the masculine, Pachamama (Mother Earth) symbolized the feminine; when joined together, the two formed fertility.
Throughout their history, the Incas paid tribute to recognized deities such as Inti (Sun), Pacha Mama (Earth) and Illapa (Lightning).
Next to them, another divinity worshiped was Mama Qocha, Mother of all waters. Mama Qocha not only helped to calm the fierceness of some rivers, but also so that these inflows would be a source of food.
Enigmatic and fascinating Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, an enigmatic city nestled in the towering mountains of the Peruvian Andes, continues to fascinate visitors from around the world. This archaeological gem, discovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham, has captured the imagination of historians, archaeologists and travelers alike.
The route travelers take from Aguas Calientes to reach the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu was popularized by Hiram Bingham himself, who was a professor at Yale, in the early 20th century.
The most famous Inca city in history was built in the middle of the 15th century. Its name means old mountain, and it is located at 2453 meters above sea level, on a rocky premonitory between Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983.
Its mysterious history and impressive architecture, combined with its breathtaking natural setting, make Machu Picchu a destination that continues to arouse wonder and curiosity.
From the intricate agricultural terraces to the enigmatic temples and ceremonial precincts, every corner of Machu Picchu tells a fascinating story.
It is believed to have been one of the residences of the ninth Inca of Tahuantinsuyo, Pachacutec. There are also the remains of a sanctuary. It is common for travelers to feel altitude sickness during the climb.
Despite efforts to unravel its original purpose, there are still many unknowns surrounding this ancient Inca city. The harmony between human construction and the surrounding natural environment is simply breathtaking, with the city sitting strategically amidst rugged mountains and lush vegetation.
Machu Picchu remains a place of awe and excitement, inviting modern adventurers to immerse themselves in its mystery and contemplate the grandeur of a bygone civilization that continues to captivate our hearts today.
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