Archaeological Discovery: Hidden City Dated Prior to Machu Picchu Unearthed Using LIDAR Technology
Newly Discovered City, Wat'a, Predates Machu Picchu
The ancient world keeps revealing its secrets, and this time, it's a hidden city that has been uncovered using advanced LiDAR technology. Scientists have discovered an astounding, pre-Inca city, positioned higher than Machu Picchu and named Wat'a, which translates to "island" in the native tongue.
Nestled at an altitude of 4,000 meters and consisting of five sections, the city of Wat'a boasts Wataqasa, Willcapata, Qhawarina, Qullqa, and Saksaywaman Pata. Initially, archaeologists had explored and excavated the area, revealing tombs, ceremonial plazas, residential areas, a colossal defensive wall, but latest LiDAR scans have shown unseen wonders.
If you thought the initial discovery was impressive, wait till you hear this: LiDAR has helped experts identify never-before-seen features like Inca-style terraces and more. Albert Lin, a fearless explorer from National Geographic, shared his experiences with Newsweek, stating that "It is extremely challenging to get there." "You're at around 13,000 feet of altitude, and its mostly open landscape because there's not a lot of trees, so you're basically cooking in the high altitude sun."
Wat'a, like Machu Picchu, has remained hidden for centuries due to excessive vegetation growth in the Andes mountains. Many ancient Inca and Pre-Inca settlements remain concealed beneath the surface, making it impossible to observe terraces, plazas, and buildings. That's where LiDAR comes into play, aiding experts in seeing what they can't perceive with their naked eyes.
Unlike Machu Picchu, which has been restored, this ancient city may have served as a template for Machu Picchu, an Inca settlement founded in the 15th century. As Lin pointed out, "See it as an evolution on their pathway towards Machu Picchu."
LiDAR technology has proven to be a groundbreaking tool in archaeology, aiding experts in discovering lost cities, civilizations, and cultures. This revolutionary technology has unveiled 60,000 hidden Maya structures in dense jungle environments, providing crucial insights into the ancient Maya lowlands' population during the Late Classic Period spanning between 650 and 800 CE.
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Sources:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2021/07/long-lost-city-wat-a-found-in-andes/
https://www.newsweek.com/lidar-ancient-city-machu-picchu-wat-a-peru-1616112
[2] Angkor Wat LiDAR Project. (n.d.). Archaeo-Rich. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.archaeo-rich.com/Angkor-Wat-LIDAR-Project
[3] Tervrin, K. (2019, April 24). Thousands of hidden temples in pre-Angkorian empire discovered in Cambodia. ScienceAlert. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.sciencealert.com/thousands-of-hidden-temples-in-pre-angkorian-empire-discovered-in-cambodia
The LiDAR technology used in the discovery of the ancient city, Wat'a, has also revealed countless hidden Maya structures in dense jungle environments, offering insights into the ancient Maya lowlands' population during the Late Classic Period. Like Wat'a, archaeology has unearthed lost cities and civilizations using advanced technology, such as the Angkor Wat LiDAR Project, which discovered thousands of hidden temples in the pre-Angkorian empire. The successful application of technology in archaeology suggests that more lost cities might resurface, compelling scientists to continue their exploration of the hidden secrets of the ancient world.
