What is the Story Behind Machu Picchu? Discover Its History and Mystery
Explore the fascinating history of Machu Picchu, the sacred Incan city built in the 15th century and rediscovered in 1911 amid the Andes.
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Machu Picchu, an Incan city of sparkling granite precariously perched between two towering Andean peaks, is believed by scholars to have been a sacred archaeological center for the nearby Incan capital of Cusco. Built in the 15th century under the reign of Inca emperor Pachacuti, it was abandoned just over 100 years later, around the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Hidden beneath thick forest vegetation until its rediscovery in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham, it remains a mystery how the Incas managed to construct its exquisite stone structures, often without the use of mortar, and for what exact purpose.
FAQs & Answers
- When was Machu Picchu built? Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century during the reign of Inca emperor Pachacuti.
- Who rediscovered Machu Picchu and when? Explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911 after it had been hidden beneath dense forest vegetation.
- What was the main purpose of Machu Picchu? Scholars believe Machu Picchu served as a sacred archaeological center for the Incan capital Cusco, though its exact purpose remains a mystery.
- How were Machu Picchu’s stone structures built? The Incas constructed Machu Picchu’s exquisite granite structures often without mortar, showcasing advanced stone masonry techniques.