Huge Ancient Inca Underground Labyrinth Discovered Beneath Cusco, Starting At Sun Temple | Travel News
After centuries of rumors and speculation, archaeologists have confirmed the existence of an extensive underground tunnel system beneath the Peruvian city of Cusco. Built by the ancient Inca civilization, the labyrinth, known as the Chincana, stretches outward from the Temple of the Sun and spans over a mile, reaching a fortress on the city's outskirts.
The announcement was made during a press conference where researchers outlined the three stages of their investigation. The first step involved examining historical texts from the 16th to 18th centuries for references to the Chincana and its location.
One particularly insightful account, authored by an anonymous Spanish Jesuit in 1594, described a main tunnel running beneath the bishop's residence behind Cusco Cathedral. The document indicated that the tunnel began at the Temple of the Sun, or Coricancha, and ended at the Sacsahuaman citadel, approximately 1.75 kilometers (1.1 miles) away.
Archaeologist Jorge Calero Flores explained during the press conference that these historical records provided key clues to locating the Chincana.
The second phase of the investigation utilized acoustic prospecting, a method involving ground percussion to detect hollow spaces by sound resonance. The final stage employed ground-penetrating radar to produce a detailed map of the tunnel system.
This process revealed the main tunnel connecting Coricancha to Sacsahuaman, as well as three smaller branches. One branch extends toward the Muyucmarca area of Sacsahuaman, another reaches Callispuquio, and the third leads behind the Church of San Cristóbal.
Once the heart of the Inca Empire in the 15th century, Cusco is now a renowned tourist destination and gateway to Machu Picchu. Although previous studies suggested the existence of subterranean tunnels constructed by the Inca, their precise location had never been confirmed until now.
While researchers have yet to enter the tunnels, they believe the Inca created the Chincana by excavating trenches reinforced with stone walls and roof beams. These underground passages likely mirrored the layout of Cusco's streets and above-ground pathways, built directly above the tunnels.
The purpose of the Chincana remains uncertain. However, archaeologist Mildred Fernández Palomino announced plans to excavate key areas of the tunnels in the coming months. "We hope to begin accessing the Chincana in March or April," she said, hinting at the potential for new discoveries.
