Machu Picchu is an iconic and enigmatic Inca site located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Here's a comprehensive overview:
History and Discovery
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Construction: Machu Picchu was constructed around 1450 AD by the Inca Empire, during the reign of Pachacuti, who is credited with expanding the empire to its greatest extent.
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Abandonment: It is believed that Machu Picchu was abandoned approximately 100 years after its construction due to the Spanish Conquest and the subsequent spread of diseases like smallpox, which decimated the local population.
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Rediscovery: The site was "rediscovered" by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, although local people knew of its existence. Bingham was led there by a local farmer named Melchor Arteaga.
Geographical and Architectural Features
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Location: Machu Picchu is situated at an elevation of about 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level, near the Urubamba River valley, in the Cusco Region.
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Design: The site showcases incredible Inca architecture with its use of dry stone walls that interlock without the use of mortar, precise terracing, and complex irrigation systems.
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Layout: It is divided into an agricultural sector with terraces and a residential sector where the elite and the religious lived. Key features include the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (a ritual stone associated with astronomical observations), and the Room of the Three Windows.
Significance and Cultural Impact
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World Heritage Site: Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for its cultural and natural significance.
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Tourism: Today, Machu Picchu is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, drawing millions of visitors each year. It's also the endpoint of the famous Inca Trail, a hiking path through the Andes.
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Research: Ongoing archaeological research continues to uncover more about the site's purpose, which might have served as an estate for Inca royalty, a religious sanctuary, or even an astronomical observatory.
Challenges and Preservation
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Environmental Threats: Climate change and tourism have posed threats to the site, with issues like landslides, erosion, and damage from tourists.
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Conservation Efforts: There are stringent rules in place to preserve Machu Picchu, including daily visitor limits, restricted access to certain areas, and ongoing restoration projects.
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