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

• A Polish-Peruvian research team has discovered more than 1.6 miles of previously unknown Inca roadways near Machu Picchu, hidden beneath dense tropical vegetation. The findings were made using drone-mounted LiDAR technology, which generated detailed maps of the terrain.
• The discoveries were made during a research campaign in July and August 2023, and the team includes archaeologists from the University of Warsaw and other institutions in Peru. The newly revealed roadways connect to platforms and terraces near the Mandor Wall, a feature across the Urubamba Valley.
• The findings suggest that the Inca may have had a more extensive network of roads and settlements than previously thought, with additional evidence of significant Inca construction on the opposite side of the valley. The research team plans to conduct further surveys and excavations, but the precise locations of the discoveries remain confidential due to concerns over looting and damage to the ancient sites.

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