Machu Picchu: Archaeologists discover a hidden part of the citadel

To this day, there is still a lot we don't know about Machu Picchu. The proof is that archaeologists have recently discovered a still unknown area of the site thanks to drones equipped with lasers. The density of the Peruvian jungle makes the excavations very complex in places, so the team of archaeologists was able to rely on new technologies to make these discoveries.

A discovery that tells us more about Machu Picchu

The archaeologists were able to find a dozen small structures, about ten kilometres from the 15th century Inca city, on the outskirts of a ceremonial site called Chachabamba. In addition, they discovered a canalization system that covered the entire area. These findings tell us more about the people who lived there. Dominika Sieczkowska, the archaeologist who conducted the research explains:

Only the most privileged people could go to Machu Picchu. It was a very special place. On their way there, these people had to stop at Chachabamba to perform a spiritual bath to purify themselves.

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New technology for archaeology

The scientists involved in this mission used a new remote sensing technology that is useful in hard-to-reach areas. The technique is called LiDAR, which sends a laser beam to detect and analyse selected areas. In the future, it should help archaeological research in areas such as Machu Picchu, which are very difficult to access, especially due to the thickness of the jungle.