A new study using DNA analysis has revealed a surprising diversity of individuals who once lived at Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca palace in Peru. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggest that Machu Picchu was not just a royal retreat, but also a hub of activity for a wide range of people, including farmers, artisans, and religious figures.

The study was conducted by an international team of researchers led by Dr. Justin Jennings, a geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania. The team analyzed DNA extracted from the teeth of 106 individuals who were buried at Machu Picchu between 1450 and 1572 CE.

The results showed that the individuals buried at Machu Picchu came from a variety of regions across the Inca Empire, which spanned over 2,000 miles from north to south. This suggests that Machu Picchu was not just a royal retreat for the Inca elite, but also a place where people from different parts of the empire came to work and live.

The study also found that the individuals buried at Machu Picchu had a wide range of occupations, including farmers, artisans, and religious figures. This suggests that Machu Picchu was not just a political center, but also a center of economic and cultural activity.

The findings of the study provide new insights into the lives of the people who lived at Machu Picchu and the role that the site played in the Inca Empire. Machu Picchu was not just a royal retreat, but a thriving community of people from all walks of life.