PERU: TUNNEL DISCOVERED IN SACRED INCA CITY
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> A tunnel measuring 2 km in length, linking the Koricancha temple with
> the fortress of Sacsahuamán, located on the outskirts of the Peruvian
> city of Cuzco, was discovered by Spanish archaeologist Anselm Pi Rambla,
> in the ancient Inca capital. The tunnel may form part of a series of
> galleries, chambers, fountains and ancient mausoleums which are probably
> under the city of Cuzco, according to measurments made by Pi Rambla as
> part of the Wiracocha Project, initiated in August 2000.
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> The Spanish scholar stated before the Peruvian Congress's Cultural
> Commission that he had discovered the subterranean passageway, which in
> his opinion, "may change perspectives on Peruvian history."
>
> According to radar images obtained by Pi Rambla, the tunnel links
> directly to the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha, with the Convent of
> Santa Catalina or Marcahuasi, with the Cathedral or Temple of Inca
> Wiracocha, with the palace of Huascar, with the Temple of Manco Capac or
> Colcampata and with the Huamanmarca.
>
> All of these buildings are in a perfect astronomical alignment, which
> confirms that ancient Peruvians also guided their constructions by the
> location of the Sun, the Moon and the constellations. Access to a tunnel
> at the Sacsahuamán Fortress was already known, but it was condemned in
> 1923 to avoid the disappearances of curiosity seekers who entered it,
> since its trajectory was unknown. The archaeologist explained that this
> would involve a Pre-Inca citadel, belonging to a culture that has yet to
> be considered. "We calculate that it would be some 100 meters under
> Cuzco...the great question is ascertaining what age it belonged to,"
> adds the archaeologist.
>
> In May, Pi Rambla will spearhead the excavation work aimed at confirming
> the location of the subterranean galleries which confirm the stories of
> chroniclers like Garcilaso de la Vega and Cieza de León regarding an
> underground citadel in Cuzco.
>