Nestled 7,000 feet above sea level, atop the remarkable Andes Mountains, is the amazing ruin city of Machu Picchu. This beloved destination is the top tourist attraction in Peru and one of the most photographed remote sites in the world. Though most Inca sites were destroyed by Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu survived due to its remote and hidden location and remains a tourists treasure. Here are a few more facts about this incredible site that Mother Nature has all but reclaimed.
In the Quechua Indian language, “Machu Picchu” means “Old Peak” or “Old Mountain.”
Machu Picchu is made up of more than 150 buildings ranging from baths and houses to temples and sanctuaries.
The compound contains more than 100 separate flights of stairs. Most of the individual staircases were carved from one slab of stone.
Although many of the stones that were used to build the city were more than 50 pounds, it is believed that no wheels were used to transport these rocks up the mountain. Rather, it is thought that hundreds of men pushed the heavy rocks up the steep mountain side.
Many different theories exist about Machu Picchu’s purpose—a royal estate and a secret ceremonial center among them.
The Incas were some of the best masons in the world. The structures were so well built with a technique called ashlar (stones that are cut to fit together without mortar) that not even a knife blade can fit in between stones.
Machu Picchu was only known locally until Yale Professor Hiram Bingham re-discovered the site in 1911. His book, The Lost City of the Incas, was based on his findings.
Machu Picchu was an astronomical observatory, and its sacred Intihuatana stone accurately indicates the two equinoxes. Twice a year, the sun sits directly over the stone creating no shadow.
Porters, who often have to sleep on the trail in tents, hide shiny metal mirrors underneath them to ward off ancient spirits within the earth.
Machu Picchu is built on 2 fault lines. However, the construction protects it whenever Peru suffers an earthquake. The stones of Machu Picchu are reputed to “dance” or bounce during a seismic event and then fall back into their rightful place.
Sure, the site has posted “rules of entrance”. However, that list doesn’t include the fact that you’ll be denied admittance if you try to enter dressed in the traditional garb of another country—that means no kimonos, kilts, or dirndls
Archaeologists blame a small pox epidemic, brought to Machu Picchu by Spanish Conquistadors, for killing the original population.
Recently an Internet audience collaborated to have Machu Picchu signified as one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” as of April 2013.
You might know that you can trek up Machu Picchu for free. However, the trail upwards is steep and strenuous, taking approximately 90-minutes in total, but at the top, the views is amazing!
The Intihuatana stone, which is a sculpted granite rock found at the site is believed to have been utilized as a solar clock or calendar.
(Sources: Worldwildlife.org, Escapehere.com)
