In a major archaeological breakthrough, researchers have discovered more than 100 previously unrecorded structures at Gran Pajatén, a remote site in Peru's Río Abiseo National Park. Nestled nearly 10,000 feet above sea level in the Andes, this pre-Columbian settlement was once home to the Chachapoya civilization, often referred to as the “Warriors of the Clouds” for their resilience and strategic high-altitude settlements.

The findings, announced by the World Monuments Fund, redefine Gran Pajatén’s significance. Using lidar scanning and photogrammetry, archaeologists revealed a vast and sophisticated urban landscape—including circular stone buildings, agricultural terraces, and cliffside tombs—that was previously obscured by dense forest.

The site likely served as a cultural and ceremonial hub, linking other Chachapoya centers through an expansive network of mountain roads. Although long overshadowed by the Inca Empire that ultimately conquered them in the 16th century, the Chachapoya's architectural legacy is now coming to light.

Only 10 percent of the lidar data has been analyzed, suggesting many more discoveries lie ahead. Conservation efforts are underway to preserve the fragile structures while creating digital tools to make the site accessible to scholars and the public. Researchers say this is just the beginning of unlocking Gran Pajatén’s historical significance.