Previously Unknown Structures and Canals Found Near Peru’s Machu Picchu

mysteriousuniverse.org ^ | January 5, 2022 | Paul Seaburn

[BenLurkin]

The year 2021 ended with a major ‘peel’ for the site as LiDAR-equipped drones helped find 12 previously unknown small structures in Machu Picchu National Park which help identify the caretakers of the complex back in the 15th century. The LiDAR also revealed previously unknown canals that show how the Incas controlled water – a feat they believed was a ‘superpower’ granted to them by the gods.

As described in a new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, a team of researchers from the Center for Andean Studies at the University of Warsaw and the Wroclaw (Poland) University of Science and Technology focused new efforts on Chachabamba, a ceremonial water complex surrounding the Machu Picchu citadel that both demonstrated the power of the Inca peoples and offered pilgrims ritual baths, gardens and fountains. Using data from drones with lidar (light detection and ranging) systems flying very low over the dense vegetation covering much of Chachabamba, they found 12 small structures that appeared to be homes of those who were responsible for the amenities of Chachabamba.

The hydraulic systems of Chachabamba were functioning until mudslides destroyed part of it in 2012 and the area became overgrown. The LiDAR drones and computer simulations from their data helped the researchers see just how sophisticated the system was when operational and impressing the enemies of the Incas.

[KamperKen]

"Archeology is almost entirely fabricated nonsense."

Cannot agree more. I became aware of this when I started reading Graham Hancock's books over 20 years ago. The archeologists and historians pretty much just make it up. They posit as fact which are at best educated guesses. Some of those educated guesses have no factual foundation at all.

[KamperKen]

"That’s always fascinated me—Same thing with the Great Pyramid. A bunch of guys wearing gunny sacks and Firestone 500 flip flops did not build that——no matter how long it took?"

I have read that Egypt during the 4th dynasty when the Great Pyramid was supposedly built had not yet invented the wheel.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Because they were so peaceful and trusting. Just ask those other tribes they conquered and enslaved.

[Trailerpark Badass]

LOL, good one!

[Openurmind]

It is true. Like the “If they were so smart why didn’t they have the wheel?”. I am sick of hearing that...

Well, they did indeed know about the wheel, but they had no beasts of burden to pull heavy carts and wagons. And with the terrain of the Andes mountains they would still be trying to finish those roads to be wide enough. So why?

They made their roads just big enough for what they had. Alpacas and Llamas which are very feet footed and agile. Take 40 of them to pull a cart with wheels and it would still be impractical on the terrain and hills of the Andes.

So no need for the wheel either... Not needing it doesn’t make you ignorant or stupid. It makes you practical and wise with using what you have and making the best of it. :)

[Trailerpark Badass]

Werl, yeah ok. CIties in Asia have little carts pulled by human beings. Flatter, sure, but are you telling me they couldn’t fashion a llama-width cart that would be a whole lot more efficient than people carrying all their crap? Maybe they just felt they needed the exercise?

[Openurmind]

People didn’t carry their crap, LLamas packed it for them. Even modern deer hunters use them now because they are so efficient. Do you have any idea what the terrain of the Andes is like? And these roads had to accommodate two way traffic. And much of it needed to be “steps” that carts could not navigate but fleet footed LLamas could, why add the extra weight of the cart up these steep switchback routes?. Truly, what they accomplished with what they had is absolutely incredible.

https://treelinepursuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Llama-1-1.png

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BL, NC, and LL!

[hinckley buzzard]

Educated guesses are just that, and they lay the foundations for further scientific research. You appear to be oblivious to the way science at its best progresses. Sad.

[KamperKen]

Oblivious? As a scientist and engineer I’d say I have some rather deep insights as to how it works. What’s sad is that you apparently did not grasp what I was saying. Having read extensively on archeology I find that saying their educated guesses is giving them to much credit. Their biases trump known facts.

I see you suffer from the Dunning-Kruger effect and please don’t waste any more of my time replying.

[colorado tanker]

I just don't understand this. I have climbed Colorado 14ers and have experienced the oxygen deprivation. How did an entire civilization thrive at these altitudes?

Coca?

[Hegemony Cricket]

If anyone cares, LIDAR drone is pretty high on my Christmas/birthday list...