Our students participate in archaeological excavations in Sacsayhuamán

Our students joined an international research team comprising students from Polish universities (the University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University, and University of Gdańsk) as well as foreign institutions (Universidad de Costa Rica, University of Victoria, University of Helsinki, University of Pennsylvania, and Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza).

The excavations, supervised by Alexei Vranich, PhD, Stephen Berquist, PhD, and archaeologist Sabino Quispe Serrano, aimed to understand the chronology of settlement in Sacsayhuamán.

As part of the project, WUT students are developing a virtual three-dimensional model of the site using technologies highly valued by archaeologists, such as BIM, GIS, and LiDAR scanning. In addition to modelling the current condition of the site, the team will also prepare a hypothesis regarding the complex’s former appearance, before it was dismantled by Spanish conquistadors.

The results of the team’s work are scheduled to be presented at the NCAAAE scientific conference in Philadelphia in November.

“My task of scanning the Sacsayhuamán ruins for our 3D model allowed me to become so familiar with the layout of the complex that I could guide anyone to any place with my eyes closed” says Jeremi Kozakiewicz. “After a day’s work, we spent evenings integrating with other students in the team and with local archaeologists we collaborated with. Thanks to that, we got to know each other well — and discovered the best places in Cusco.”

“We used weekends for trips outside of Cusco, exploring ruins and archaeological sites around the city. They are so densely scattered that practically every second stone in the region bears traces of different pre-Columbian civilizations, and in some places, you can literally trip over the foundations of Inca buildings” Jeremi continues.

“Many of these sites are far more picturesque and better preserved than Sacsayhuamán, and after each trip we came back wanting to return — this time with excavation tools. In Cusco itself, especially in the tourist and historical part of the city where we stayed most often, I felt safe at any time of day, and the people were very friendly and helpful, especially when we spoke Spanish. If I had to choose the best part of the trip, I would definitely choose the people — both the team we worked with and those we met there” Jeremi adds.

“The biggest surprise, however, was the temperature. The European summer is winter in South America, with temperatures ranging from around 15 degrees during the day to zero or below at night. Combined with the lack of insulation and heating — which is completely normal in Peruvian houses, as heating is only useful in July and August — it forced us to constantly change from short-sleeved shirts to down jackets and back again, even indoors. Despite that, I consider the whole trip a great success, and if there’s ever a chance to return to Peru, I’ll be first in line.”