Advanced LiDAR surveys in the remote Ayacucho region of Peru have identified a sprawling, previously unknown urban center of the Wari Empire. The city, spanning nearly 150 hectares, appears to have been a specialized industrial hub dedicated to obsidian production. Mapping reveals hundreds of residential workshops situated around a central fortified trade depot, where high-quality volcanic glass was processed into blades and ritual tools for export across the Andean peaks.
The LiDAR data shows a sophisticated defensive perimeter consisting of three concentric stone walls and elevated watchtowers, suggesting the Wari viewed this mineral resource as a critical strategic asset. Project lead Dr. Sofia Ortiz stated that the city's location at a high-altitude pass was no accident, as it served as a 'gatekeeper' for the flow of obsidian into the southern coastal regions. This discovery provides the most comprehensive look yet at the Wari's ability to manage large-scale industrial cities in extreme environments.