Machu Picchu History

Machu Picchu (also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”) is an Incan site constructed around 1450 AD. The site was abandoned less than 100 years later and was never discovered by the invading Spanish Conquistadores, which preserved the site from plunder and destruction. Located at 8000 ft. on the edge of the Amazon Rain Forest and the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is located on a saddle between the two mountain peaks Winay Wayna and Wayna (also spelled 'Huayna') Picchu. It remained virtually untouched until Yale professor Hiram Bingham rediscovered the site in 1911 with the help of a local farmer who referred him to an 11 year old Quechua boy name Pablito Alvarez. Pablito knew how to get to the ruins and led Bingham to Machu Picchu on the morning of July 24th, 1911. There have been several studies in recent years that have suggested it may have been discovered by earlier explorers, but it was Bingham who recognized its importance and brought the site to the attention of the rest of the world. Machu Picchu was declared an UNSECO World Heritage Site in 1983 and now has become one of the top tourist attractions in South America.

Archaeologists have debated on the Inca's purpose for Machu Picchu. Some have said it is was a defensive citadel since it is situated in a spot that is almost hidden to anyone who would be on the river below, while others have said it was a government palace/retreat and administrative center for the Incan Ruler Pachacuti. The Incans did not have a written language so to this date; there is still no definitive answer to the purpose of the site.

Machu Picchu: Wonder of the World

On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of New Open World Corporation's New Seven Wonders of the World. The others were The Colosseum in Rome, Christ Redeemer in Brasil, Petra in Jordan, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Taj Mahal in India, and The Great Wall of China.

On November 19, 2008, Machu Picchu was voted as the 1st of 12 Wonders of the World on our own Wonders of the World Vote. The remaining 11 Wonders of the World will be selected over the next year.