What Is Machu Picchu?

Built in the 15th century and nearly unknown until 1911, Machu Picchu stands in the Andes Mountains in Peru. This wondrous sight has many things to offer those who decide to travel there, with a long-standing history of architectural wonders and a more recent rediscovery. Anyone that elects to travel to Machu Picchu will certainly not be disappointed. As a first point, Machu Picchu was built by the Incas in the height of their empire, dating around 1450. Although Machu Picchu was first constructed by the Incas, many people have been through. According to “The Stones of Machu Picchu” by Duane Damon, “After its takeover by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s, men like Pedro Cieza de Leon, a soldier,and Father Bernabe’ Cobo,
Many wonder how Machu Picchu was set up, for the larger stones that make up Machu Picchu “appeared to weigh 10-15 tons” (The Stones of Machu Picchu). The average car as of 2010 weighs 2 tons, and some stones of Machu Picchu seem to weigh 7.5 times that. The Incas had to move stones that weighed upwards of 15 tons without any help from equipment, which is no small feat. As “Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu” states, “... of superb architectural and archaeological importance, Machu Picchu is one of the world’s great examples of the use of natural raw material to provide outstanding architecture which is totally appropriate for the surroundings” Although Machu Picchu was established almost 600 years ago, the buildings of Machu Picchu still stand. The huge stones of Machu Picchu were also put in place with no mortar. This means the stones have to stay by themselves, for they don’t have any mortar to assist them. The precision of the stones had to be perfect in order to fix together so magnificently as to stay together without mortar for the time Machu Picchu has stood. The architectural abilities of the Incas dating back to that time period makes Machu Picchu a tremendous place to
“Recognized for outstanding cultural and natural values, the mixed World Heritage property covers [79 acres] of mountain slopes, peaks and valleys surrounding its heart, the spectacular archaeological movement of “La Ciudadela” (the Citadel) at more than [7,800 feet] above sea level. Machu Picchu, with its absolute beauty covering 79 acres, has much to offer. Being on Machu Picchu is nothing short of sheer awe. The amazing ability of the Incan people to construct something so vast and so far from sea level promises anyone that visits a great time. Being able to look off of the top of Machu Picchu and see everything of the city that was built could put anyone exploring into a state of