Abstract

MORALEJO, Reinaldo A.; GOBBO, Diego  and  COGLIANO, Daniel Del. DISCOVERY OF A NEW QHAPAQ NAN SEGMENT ON SIERRA DEL SHINCAL (LONDRES, CATAMARCA): AIRBORNE LiDAR TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR ROAD DETECTION AND ANALYSIS. Relaciones [online]. 2022, vol.47, n.1, pp.11-20. ISSN 0325-2221.  http://dx.doi.org/10.24215/18521479e028.

The discovery of a segment of the Inca trail located on Sierra del Shincal (Londres, Catamarca Province, Northwest Argentina) is presented using modern technology, never before used for archaeological purposes in our country, known as airborne LiDAR. This is an optical remote sensing technique composed of an active sensor that allows the identification of different levels of information, such as human constructions hidden by vegetation. All measurements were backed up from the ground with dual-frequency geodetic GPS receivers. A 3D point cloud was obtained and classified in order to generate images and digital elevation models to identify new architectural structures. This allowed us to detect a linear feature that was later recognized in the field as a segment of the Qhapaq Nan that runs through the Inca archaeological site of El Shincal.

Keywords : El Shincal de Quimivil; ancient roads; incas; light detection and ranging; Northwest Argentina.

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