Underground chambers and passages beneath Sacsaywaman near Cusco were described in writing by Garcilaso de la Vega, the half-Inca, half-Spaniard chronicler, as early as the 1500s. The site was rediscovered and excavated in 1934, and significant looting likely occurred well before then. The host suspects much was lost before formal archaeological work began.
Catacombs beneath Saqsaywaman finally excavated after 500 years of known looting
PeruGeneral
Key facts
- Catacombs exist beneath Saqsaywaman near Cusco, Peru
- Catacombs were mentioned in writing as early as the 1500s by a half-Inca, half-Spaniard writer
- Only in recent years have authorities begun properly investigating and excavating the site
- Host suspects the catacombs were heavily looted before official excavation began
Site mentioned
Sources
Sacsayhuaman Fortress: History, Facts, and Visitor Guideflycuscoperu.com
Sacsayhuaman Peru is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Inca architecture. Rising nearly 3,700 meters (12,140 ft) above sea level, ...
Sacsayhuaman: Fortress Of Cusco, Perurainforestcruises.com
The site was (re)discovered in 1934 and excavated, and in 1983, Sacsayhuaman and the city of Cusco were added together to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Sacsayhuaman: The heart of Cusco, where history vibrates.getyourguide.com
Every wall, every corner of Sacsayhuaman holds ancestral secrets and invites you to experience the connection between the Inca culture and the Andean landscape.
Visit the Church, museum and Catacombs of San ...incatrailmachu.com
The Church and Convent of San Francisco is a Catholic construction that is located in the district, province and region of Cusco.
What is Sacsayhuaman Cusco? How to walk ...freewalkingtoursperu.com
It is a cyclopean construction that had political and religious purpose. Cusco city originally had a city wall, Saqsayhuman Fortress was part of it, appart from ...
Was this story useful?
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.