Unknown Inca Roads Discovered Near Machu Picchu
Archaeologists mapped over 1.5 miles of hidden routes on Mount Yanantin using aerial laser scanning technology.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Geography
Researchers have identified more than 1.5 miles of previously unknown ancient roads within the Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park. The discovery, which utilized aerial remote sensing to penetrate dense vegetation, was confirmed on the slopes of Mount Yanantin.
Why it matters
The finding adds significant infrastructure data to the known Inca road network, illustrating the complex logistics required to traverse high-altitude mountainous terrain. Using remote sensing to map such features helps preserve the site while expanding understanding of regional transit patterns.
The study utilized Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure precise distances to the Earth's surface. By firing these pulses from drones, researchers created a digital terrain model that effectively stripped away the dense forest canopy to reveal the structures below.
The details
LiDAR works by emitting rapid pulses of laser light and recording the time each pulse takes to reflect back to the sensor. By calculating the delay and angle of these returns, drones can construct a high-resolution 3D map of the topography that would otherwise be obscured by thick vegetation. This process allowed the team to pinpoint the road segments at altitudes between 6,500 and 8,860 feet, mapping features that were inaccessible during traditional ground-based surveys.
Timeline
July 2023: Preliminary reconnaissance was conducted around the Mandor wall.
The Tech Race
The discovery provides a new data point for the mapping of the Qhapaq Ñan Inca road system, which researchers are racing to document before natural degradation occurs. This finding follows a pattern of using remote sensing to bridge gaps in the regional archaeological record that were previously deemed impenetrable.
The application of LiDAR allows for the non-invasive documentation of sensitive sites, which helps preserve the Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park for future visitors. This technology confirms that large-scale infrastructure mapping can be performed without requiring extensive clearing of native forests.
The takeaway
The use of drone-based LiDAR demonstrates that high-altitude forest cover is no longer a permanent barrier to identifying ancient infrastructure. Researchers will now work to ground-truth these digital findings and integrate the new routes into the wider survey of the Machu Picchu region.
Further reading
For more on how mapping technologies are reshaping field research, visit our Geography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GlobalPost.
