Based on the inter-institutional cooperation between the University of Warsaw and the Decentralized Directorate of Culture Cusco (as a representative of the Ministry of Culture Peru), in 2012 the scientific research project of the Salkantay Green Lake area was inaugurated. During the 2012-2019 seasons, scientists from the University of Warsaw together with specialists from the Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park carried out several surveys of the land. As an objective of the Project, it was planned to carry out an underwater research program in the Salcantay lagoons both within the Machu Picchu National Archaeological Park and its surroundings, as well as a research program on bio-deterioration and deterioration problems in the stone structures of the Citadel of Machu Picchu (the objectives of the Letter of Intent signed on February 10, 2012). Since 2016 the project has been carried out within the OPUS project funded by the Polish Science Center number 2015/19/B/HS3/03557 entitled: Function of Machu Picchu satellite sites: Inkaraqay, Chachabamba and high mountain lakes around the Nevado Salkantay (Peru).
Currently the investigations have been expanded and include the lagoons of Salkantay Verde, Humantay, Inca Chiriasca, Soctacocha and Llaqtacocha. The objective of the Project is to document with the use of sonar, among others, all the lagoons around the Nevado de Salkantay.
According to historical sources, the Andean lakes in pre-Hispanic times were objects of worship. This has been confirmed by underwater finds, found mainly in Lake Titicaca, where research has been conducted for several decades. The surface studies had the objective of verifying and updating the information on the archaeological objects located in the vicinity of the lakes located around the Salcantay mountain. The objective of the surveys was to accurately determine the correlation of the places associated with the lagoons and the pre-Hispanic communication routes found in this area.
Thanks to the surveys in the upper part of the Park, it was possible to confirm that there were religious ceremonies related to the sacred mountain Salcantay and the relationship of these events with the archaeological structures in the area of the lakes was found. Uncovered artificial platforms, located near the lake, were probably the part of the ceremonial space related to the cult. Until now, several underwater surveys have been carried out in the Salcantay lagoon, located at 4650 m above sea level. The first part of the work inside the lakes was to do the bathymetric documentation of the lakes using side sonar. As part of the investigation, precise underwater detectors were also used and photographic documentation will be carried out. All this brought us closer to the discovery of the sunken wall. The change in the coastline was probably related to climate change and the annual melting of glaciers.
External pages:
https://lima.msz.gov.pl/es/c/MOBILE/actualidades/en_machu_picchu_por_debajo_del_agua
http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/news%2C411024%2Cpolish-divers-in-machu-picchu.html
http://naukaonline.pan.pl/index.php/news/item/3151-co-o-inkach-mowia-jeziora
http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/node/24653
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POLAND
University of Warsaw
Center for Andean Studies
PERU
Center for Andean Studies
of the University of Warsaw in Cusco