Machu Picchu: 15th Century Inca Civilization
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the remains of a 15th century Inca civilization. It is a citadel built into a mountain ridge. The ridge and settlement are 2,430 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu is located in Peru and is above what is known as the Sacred Valley which is where the Urubamba River flows through.
It is believed that Machu Picchu was built in honor of Pachacuti, an Inca emperor that reigned sometime during 1438-1472. Machu Picchu is commonly mistaken for the Lost City of the Incas, but that honored title is held by the city of Vilcabamba. Machu Picchu is the most famous icons from the Inca Empire.
When Was Machu Picchu Created?
The name Machu Picchu translates to Old Peak in the Quechua language. Historians believe that Machu Picchu was created as an estate sometime around 1450, only to be later abandoned a century later due to the Spanish Conquest. It is unclear to historians if the Inca people abandoned the city or if they were wiped out by a plague of …show more content…
smallpox that would have ravaged the area after the Spanish conquistadors had arrived in the area.
Machu Picchu is 50 miles from Cusco, the capital city of the Inca Empire.
However, despite being close to the capital, Spanish explorers never found Machu Picchu. This means that Machu Picchu remained untouched for years and was not plundered and destroyed like many other civilization that met the Spaniards. From 1572-1912, Machu Picchu remained relatively untouched by the outside world. The jungle overgrew in the area and only a few locals even knew the ruins existed. Historians assume from evidence found at the site that Machu Picchu was plundered around 1867 by Augusto Berns, a German businessman. Aside from this instance, the world didn’t learn about Machu Picchu until 1911 when Hiram Bingham, an American historian, travelled to the region hoping to uncover more about the Inca Empire. A local farmer in the area, who knew about Machu Picchu, decided to take Bingham to it. Bingham brought the area to international attention and organized follow up expeditions to help clear and excavate the
area.
Machu Picchu Today
Peru decided in 1981 that the surrounding 126 square miles surround Machu Picchu would be labelled a Historical Sanctuary. The distinction helps to protect Machu Picchu from any man made damages and also protects lands that are rich with different flora and fauna. Machu Picchu was awarded the designation of World Heritage Site, in 1983 by UNESCO. Machu Picchu has been described as a unique masterpiece and testimony of the advances of the Inca civilization.
Many of the surrounding structures have been reconstructed throughout time to provide tourists with a clear idea of how the estate originally looked. Over 30% of Machu Picchu has been restored since renovations were started in the 70’s and this percentage will increase as new renovation projects get underway. An internet pole set up to help determine wonders of the world ranked the Machu Picchu within the top 7 New Wonders of the World.
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Machu Picchu is the remains of a 15th century Inca civilization. It is a citadel built into a mountain ridge. The ridge and settlement are 2,430 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu is located in Peru and is above what is known as the Sacred Valley which is where the Urubamba River flows through.
It is believed that Machu Picchu was built in honor of Pachacuti, an Inca emperor that reigned sometime during 1438-1472. Machu Picchu is commonly mistaken for the Lost City of the Incas, but that honored title is held by the city of Vilcabamba. Machu Picchu is the most famous icons from the Inca Empire.
When Was Machu Picchu Created?
The name Machu Picchu translates to Old Peak in the Quechua language. Historians believe that Machu Picchu was created as an estate sometime around 1450, only to be later abandoned a century later due to the Spanish Conquest. It is unclear to historians if the Inca people abandoned the city or if they were wiped out by a plague of …show more content…
smallpox that would have ravaged the area after the Spanish conquistadors had arrived in the area.
Machu Picchu is 50 miles from Cusco, the capital city of the Inca Empire.
However, despite being close to the capital, Spanish explorers never found Machu Picchu. This means that Machu Picchu remained untouched for years and was not plundered and destroyed like many other civilization that met the Spaniards. From 1572-1912, Machu Picchu remained relatively untouched by the outside world. The jungle overgrew in the area and only a few locals even knew the ruins existed. Historians assume from evidence found at the site that Machu Picchu was plundered around 1867 by Augusto Berns, a German businessman. Aside from this instance, the world didn’t learn about Machu Picchu until 1911 when Hiram Bingham, an American historian, travelled to the region hoping to uncover more about the Inca Empire. A local farmer in the area, who knew about Machu Picchu, decided to take Bingham to it. Bingham brought the area to international attention and organized follow up expeditions to help clear and excavate the
area.
Machu Picchu Today
Peru decided in 1981 that the surrounding 126 square miles surround Machu Picchu would be labelled a Historical Sanctuary. The distinction helps to protect Machu Picchu from any man made damages and also protects lands that are rich with different flora and fauna. Machu Picchu was awarded the designation of World Heritage Site, in 1983 by UNESCO. Machu Picchu has been described as a unique masterpiece and testimony of the advances of the Inca civilization.
Many of the surrounding structures have been reconstructed throughout time to provide tourists with a clear idea of how the estate originally looked. Over 30% of Machu Picchu has been restored since renovations were started in the 70’s and this percentage will increase as new renovation projects get underway. An internet pole set up to help determine wonders of the world ranked the Machu Picchu within the top 7 New Wonders of the World.
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