Researchers have uncovered underwater Inca-era structures just off the coast of the El Huarco Archaeological Complex, a major historical site in the Cañete province, south of Lima.
The discovery includes stone walls believed to date back to the Inca period, along with artifacts linked to early maritime activity. These findings provide new insight into how coastal settlements integrated both land and sea environments during the pre-Hispanic era.
The submerged features were found during a targeted field investigation carried out by a team of specialists from December 15 to 17. The area surveyed lies directly adjacent to El Huarco, a site that served as a key administrative center for the Kingdom of Huarco between AD 1000 and 1470.
The Ministry of Culture expressed that the goal of the project is to preserve both visible land structures and submerged archaeological remains that form part of the site’s larger historical context.
Findings support heritage designation efforts
Officials reported that the team documented and georeferenced all findings, resulting in the most detailed record to date of the site’s underwater heritage. Among the discoveries was material evidence suggesting the possible presence of a vessel, although its age has not yet been determined.
🔍 Researchers have uncovered underwater Inca-era structures near El Huarco, Peru, revealing new clues about coastal life before the Spanish conquest. The findings could lead to national heritage protection. 🇵🇪🌊 #Archaeology #Peru #Inca #CulturalHeritage #ElHuarco pic.twitter.com/Z4Xl1YXRJi
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) January 20, 2026
The information collected will contribute to a formal proposal to designate the area as Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Ministry representatives said this legal recognition would help protect the marine section of El Huarco and support long-term conservation efforts.
Community involvement has been crucial in guiding the research. For decades, residents have reported recovering cultural objects from the sea, many of which were handed over to local authorities and are now preserved in the Municipal Museum of Cerro Azul.
Protecting Peru’s underwater Inca-era heritage
While traditional practices like artisanal fishing and coastal navigation are considered compatible with heritage conservation, authorities expressed concern over the extraction of stones from the intertidal zone for construction. They warned that such activity poses risks to both archaeological deposits and marine ecosystems.
The latest research builds on earlier efforts, including the first underwater survey conducted in 2014 and renewed studies launched in 2024 under the Ministry’s Fortaleza program. Officials stressed that safeguarding Peru’s cultural heritage relies on sustained collaboration between government bodies and coastal communities.
