Flagship research
The Chincana Project
Research focused on the underground tunnel network beneath Cusco using archaeological excavation, drone surveys and ground penetrating radar.
Overview
Beneath Cusco
The Chincana Project is Punchao's current flagship excavation, focused on investigating the legendary tunnel systems believed to lie beneath Cusco. Referenced for centuries in oral tradition and Spanish chronicles, the chincanas—from the Quechua word meaning "the place where one gets lost"—have long been sealed off and unexplored.
In 2025, Punchao received formal excavation permits from Peru's Ministry of Culture to begin work at a suspected entrance at Sacsayhuamán. Led by archaeologists Jorge Calero and Mildred Fernández, and supported by the Athanatos Foundation, the team has uncovered ceramic fragments with Incan iconography and identified underground anomalies using ground-penetrating radar.
This is the first formal excavation of the chincanas using modern archaeological methods. The work is guided by cultural sensitivity, scientific rigor, and a commitment to ethical stewardship.
The Mystery
Legend & Quest
For centuries, rumors have circulated about the chincanas — a vast and mysterious network of underground tunnels said to run beneath the ancient city of Cusco, Peru. In Quechua, chincana means 'the place where one gets lost.'
Chronicled by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century and whispered about by locals for generations, these tunnels have long been the stuff of legends. Some believe they were escape routes, others say they housed secret ceremonial spaces or sacred knowledge. Many people speculate this is also where the legendary Inca gold was hidden during the Spanish conquest.
Only a few of these passageways remained accessible, and explorers who entered these tunnels over the past 500 years often never returned. In response, about 150 years ago, the Peruvian government sealed off all known entrances. The tunnels were left untouched… until now.
Why This Matters
Rewriting History
This isn't just about unearthing stone walls.
It's about rewriting history — with science, Indigenous knowledge, and integrity.
Already, fragments of ceramics with Incan iconography, and pieces of traditional garments have been recovered. But we've only just begun.
Your contribution funds:
- Fair salaries for over 20 archaeologists, engineers, excavation workers, archeology students, GPR technicians, photographers, and Quechua community members.
- Excavation tools, protective gear, and transport.
- Carbon dating, DNA analysis, and air quality testing inside the tunnels.
- Advanced tech: drones, ground-penetrating radar, magnetometers, and an unmanned ground vehicle.
- Photogrammetric 3D modeling of the interior of the Chincanas.
- Dating the construction of the site through Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), Cosmogenic Nuclides, and Uranium-Thorium.
The Timeline
Racing Against Time
On May 27, 2025, excavation officially began on a newly discovered section of the Chincanas beneath the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuamán. This groundbreaking discovery — led by Peruvian archaeologists Jorge Calero and Mildred Fernández — follows data generated using ground-penetrating radar, seismic analysis, and historical texts to pinpoint hidden tunnel locations.
A 12-month excavation permit has been granted by Peru's Ministry of Culture. But now we're racing against the clock — and we need your support to keep the dig alive.
Objectives
Research goals
- Study the underground tunnel network beneath Cusco.
- Document archaeological structures through ethical excavation.
- Apply modern survey technology to non-invasive research.
Research methodology
Fieldwork and technology
01
Archaeological excavation
Careful field investigation grounded in ethical research and conservation.
02
Drone surveys
Aerial observation supports the study of archaeological landscapes.
03
Ground penetrating radar
Non-invasive technology supports research into underground structures.
Maps & current status
Mapping the network
Survey mapping supports ongoing research. Detailed maps, downloads and status updates will be published as the project advances.
Research ongoingArchive in preparation
Gallery, downloads & publications
Fieldwork galleries, downloadable resources and research papers for the Chincana Project will be published here.
Archive in preparation
Media coverage & research team
Related press coverage and the full research team will be listed here as records become available.
Protect Peru's heritage