Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, "old mountain" in the local quechua (ke-shu-wa) language, is a mysterious place built over 500 years ago in a staggering landscape for reasons long forgotten with the passing of the Inca empire.It's remarkable that the five-square-mile complex of ruins was first brought to the attention of the world by American adventurer and explorer Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911.
The Spanish invaders at the time of the Conquest and during centuries of colonial rule after, never discovered the Machu Picchu. Nobody ever led them to it or talked about it, suggesting that the site had long since been abandoned and forgotten. Or, perhaps it was simply too scared to reveal to anyone?
Because the Incas left no written records, historians can only speculate on the purpose of Machu Picchu. Some believe that the dramatic location may have held geographical or astronomical significance to the Incas. Many stone statues at Machu Picchu are aligned with constellations or the sunrise on the solstice or equinox.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
