Machu Pichu
Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, 2430 meters above sea level, sit the marvelous and mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu. Also known as the “Lost City of the Incas,” this ancient citadel is one of the most famous symbols of Inca civilizations. The city was built in the 15th century amidst a lush mountain forest near the city of Cusco in Peru. It overlooks the Urubamba river and is set in a beautiful location on the edge of the Amazon Rain Forest and the Andes Mountains. Archeologists believe that at the height of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu was a retreat or vacation destination for Inca rules and emperors, but may also have been a very sacred religious site. The real purpose for Machu Picchu will never really be known.
After being abandoned in 1572, it wasn’t until 1911 that Hiram Bingham rediscovered this architectural masterpiece. Hiram Bingham was a professor at Yale University who had done a lot of exploration in the area and was fascinated with prospect of exploring ancient Inca civilizations. While he was searching for the city of Vilcabamba, the final Inca hideaway during the time of the Spanish conquest, Bingham was assisted by locals and led to Machu Picchu by a young boy. The only ones who knew about the obscure city were a few people who lived in the nearby village. When Bingham and the 11 year old arrived at Machu Picchu, not only was the location breathtaking, but the architecture as well. The city was incredibly preserved and remained relatively intact beneath the vegetation that shrouded the site. Bingham announced his discovery on July 24th, 1911 and later returned to Machu Picchu on multiple occasions to study and survey the area, as well as conduct excavations. He returned many artifacts back to Yale University and published multiple books about his discovery.
I think that the discovery of Machu Picchu is a great archeological find because it contains so much history and information about the ancient Inca civilization. It is an incredible
After being abandoned in 1572, it wasn’t until 1911 that Hiram Bingham rediscovered this architectural masterpiece. Hiram Bingham was a professor at Yale University who had done a lot of exploration in the area and was fascinated with prospect of exploring ancient Inca civilizations. While he was searching for the city of Vilcabamba, the final Inca hideaway during the time of the Spanish conquest, Bingham was assisted by locals and led to Machu Picchu by a young boy. The only ones who knew about the obscure city were a few people who lived in the nearby village. When Bingham and the 11 year old arrived at Machu Picchu, not only was the location breathtaking, but the architecture as well. The city was incredibly preserved and remained relatively intact beneath the vegetation that shrouded the site. Bingham announced his discovery on July 24th, 1911 and later returned to Machu Picchu on multiple occasions to study and survey the area, as well as conduct excavations. He returned many artifacts back to Yale University and published multiple books about his discovery.
I think that the discovery of Machu Picchu is a great archeological find because it contains so much history and information about the ancient Inca civilization. It is an incredible