Human presence in the Salapunku area (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru) based on recent radiocarbon evidence

Recent radiocarbon analysis at Salapunku, the gateway to Machu Picchu's Cordillera of Vilcabamba, reveals a layered cultural history spanning from early human presence to complex pre-Hispanic societies and the colonial period. Unlike previous chronological studies relying on artifact typology, this first-ever radiocarbon dating for the site provides precise temporal markers, clarifying the sequence of occupations and their transitions. The findings challenge assumptions about the site's sole association with Inca settlements, underscoring its significance as a crossroads of diverse cultural periods in the Cusco region.

Sieczkowska-Jacyna, D., Bastante, J., Rakowski, A., Pawlyta, J., & Condori Castillo, I. F. (2025). Human presence in the Salapunku area (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru) based on recent radiocarbon evidence. Radiocarbon, 68(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1017/rdc.2025.10153