Inca Citadel Larger Than Machu Picchu Discovered in Cusco

For many years, T’aqrachullo seemed like a minor group of ruins in southern Peru. However, this site is located in Cusco, near the Apurímac River. Previously, almost no one outside academic circles spoke of it. Furthermore, local farmers used part of the land to graze their animals and grow crops. Meanwhile, Archaeologists found pottery and walls, but they weren’t sure exactly how important the site was.

That perception began to change between 2019 and 2024. At that time, the Ministry of Culture initiated new excavations. The teams discovered ceremonial objects, large buildings, and evidence of various Andean cultures. As a result, many experts now believe that T’aqrachullo could be Ancocagua, a citadel mentioned in ancient chronicles and regarded as a key sanctuary of the Inca Empire.

The case drew attention outside Peru following a National Geographic article. According to that report, the ruins cover 17 hectares. In other words, the site is much larger than Machu Picchu. Furthermore, the complex features houses, tombs, temples, and ceremonial sites from different periods of Andean history.

An Unexpected Uurn in the Excavations

The most significant change occurred in September 2022. At that time, archaeologist Dante Huallpayunca was working inside a stone enclosure. Then, a team member found metal remains beneath the floor used by the Incas.

The discovery was monumental. Archaeologists recovered nearly 3,000 gold, silver, and copper sequins. Furthermore, the pieces were inside a camelid leather pouch and bore traces of animal hair. Subsequent analyses indicated that they dated to the 16th century and had been used as adornments in rituals performed by the Inca elite.

“Many archaeologists never find anything like this in their entire careers,” Huallpayunca told National Geographic. That’s why the discovery changed the course of research. Since then, specialists have begun to view T’aqrachullo in a new light.

More objects were later found. Teams uncovered necklaces, bracelets, rings, stone tools, and ceramic fragments. Additionally, several pieces were located in ceremonial areas associated with water, the sun, and Andean beliefs.

The Search for the Legendary Ancocagua

T’aqrachullo could be the ancient Inca citadel of Ancocagua. That is why the site is generating a lot of excitement among South American archaeologists.

The big debate is clear: experts want to know if T’aqrachullo is really Ancocagua. Furthermore, that name appears in colonial texts written by chroniclers such as Pedro Cieza de León and Juan de Betanzos.

According to those chronicles, Ancocagua was one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire. It is even compared to sacred sites such as Qorikancha and Pachacámac. Furthermore, the documents state that battles took place there between rebel Incas and Spanish soldiers after the conquest.

Archaeologist Johan Reinhard has advocated this idea since the late 1990s. According to him, T’aqrachullo matched the location described in ancient texts. However, for a long time, stronger evidence was lacking.

Recent excavations have lent further support to this theory. First, Archaeologists discovered a large ceremonial temple. Additionally, they found remains of earlier cultures, such as the Wari and the Qolla. Thus, the site appears to have been important for many centuries.

Huallpayunca told Exitosa that the temple was of great significance during the Inca period and also in earlier times. Therefore, researchers no longer view the site as a minor set of ruins.

Another fact surprised the archaeologists. The complex was very large. According to the Ministry of Culture, the site has more than 300 stone structures that served as dwellings.

The builders used hand-carved blocks. In addition, they joined these stones with mud and clay. Also, the specialists found stone tools used to construct the structures.

Huallpayunca explained that the size of the site indicates that many people lived there. Furthermore, the site did not only have houses; it also had tombs, ritual areas, and spaces for religious ceremonies.

National Geographic reported that the excavations identified nearly 600 structures. Among them were dwellings, sanctuaries, and burial sites. Additionally, researchers found ceremonial fountains and storage areas containing metal objects.

Archaeologist Emerson Pereyra also highlighted the significance of the discovery. He has worked at Machu Picchu. However, he said he had never seen anything there like what was found at T’aqrachullo.

Traces of Conflict and Previous Occupations

Excavations conducted between 2019 and 2024 revealed large structures, ceremonial objects, and thousands of metal artifacts. For this reason, T’aqrachullo went from being a little-known site to becoming a potential key to better understanding the Inca world.

Researchers also found signs of violence. Stone projectiles, obsidian spearheads, and skeletons with wound marks were found among the remains. Furthermore, this evidence could confirm that the site was the scene of major clashes during the conquest.