Screening Eagle’s GS8000 Finds Possible Underground Tunnels at UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sacsayhuamán

Screening Eagle’s subsurface mapping system, the GS8000 Pro, has recently been used in an extraordinary archaeological project at the citadel of Sacsayhuamán located near Cusco, Peru. The GS8000 was used to search for lost underground tunnels and an ancient graveyard while preserving the integrity of the historical site.

Sacsayhuamán, situated on the outskirts of Cusco, Peru, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great historical and cultural significance. Constructed by the Inca civilization in the 15th century during the reign of Emperor Pachacuti, it functioned as both a ceremonial and military center. The site is renowned for its colossal stone walls, expertly crafted with remarkable precision, reflecting the advanced engineering capabilities of the Incas.

A team of archaeologists, led by Dr. Jorge A. Calero and Dr. Mildred Fernandez, collaborated with Screening Eagle's Rodrigo Gomez and Rodrigo Duarte, Geofísicaa Ambiental's Ivan Rufino, and Innovating in the Engineering's Cesar Flores to conduct non-invasive scans of various sections of the archaeological site with the GS8000. These tunnels have been lost for centuries, with several groups trying unsuccessfully to locate them. Now, for the first time, the GS8000 was able to detect and map the suspected underground tunnels, which marks a huge milestone for learning more about the historic significance of this site.

The GS8000, featuring real-time 3D visualization, enables rapid, high-resolution subsurface imaging. Combined with GPR Insights' advanced post-processing software, it has proven to be an excellent tool for non-destructive archaeological exploration around Sacsayhuamán, enabling the mapping of historical cemeteries and man-made tunnels.

A full case study is being developed on this unique project with truly unprecedented results. Stay tuned to our Tech Hub for the upcoming case study.