A Polish-Peruvian research team has uncovered more than 2.5 kilometers of Inca roads near Machu Picchu using advanced drone-based LiDAR scanning. These roads, hidden beneath thick vegetation, were previously unknown and are located across the Urubamba River from the famous site, near a sacred structure called the Mandor wall. This discovery suggests that the Inca settlement of Machu Picchu may have been part of a broader network that extended across both sides of the valley. The exact location of the find is being kept confidential to prevent looting, and further excavations are planned to begin in late 2026 to determine the roads’ age and purpose. The research was a joint effort between Peru’s Cusco regional cultural authority and the Andean Studies Center at the University of Warsaw. LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a technology that uses laser pulses from aircraft to map the ground beneath dense foliage. By analyzing how the lasers reflect off the earth and objects below, researchers can create highly detailed 3D maps of the terrain. This method revealed not only the roads but also associated features such as platforms and terraces that had not been previously recorded. The location of the roads, on the opposite side of the Urubamba River from Machu Picchu, offers new insights into how the Incas organized their territory. The discovery implies that the Incas may have developed their landscape more extensively than previously believed, with Machu Picchu being part of a larger, interconnected system of sacred and functional spaces. Some of the roads show architectural features, like zigzag patterns, that are characteristic of Inca construction techniques. This suggests that the roads may have been used during the time when Machu Picchu was actively inhabited and visited. The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has expressed cautious optimism about the findings, noting that while the characteristics of the roads align with Inca craftsmanship, more research is needed to confirm their exact age and purpose. The site’s location remains undisclosed to protect it from looters and to preserve the fragile remains. Researchers plan to conduct field surveys starting in late 2026, continuing into early 2027, to gather more information about the roads’ history, function, and current state of preservation.