Smarthistory: Machu Picchu

Overview

Machu Picchu: Often described as mysterious, but much is known about its construction and purpose.
Built as a royal estate for the first Inka emperor, Pachacuti Inka Yupanqui.
Date of construction: c. 1450-1540.
Located on a mountain saddle overlooking the Urubamba River in Peru, three days walk from the Inka capital Cusco.
The site was intended for hosting feasts, performing religious ceremonies, and administering the affairs of the empire.
Significant for its relationship to the Andean landscape, including sight lines to sacred mountains called apus.

Features carefully fitted stone architecture, typical of Inka elite construction.
Terracing: Common in highland agriculture; increases arable land and reduces erosion.
Water Management: A system of stone channels drains water, with fountains throughout the site.
Main buildings constructed with uniquely shaped stones, allowing for earthquake resistance.
Unique trapezoidal entryways and windows in the architecture.

The emperor and retinue lived there part-time; permanent residents included yanaconas (retainers) and mitimaes (colonists).
Evidence of craftspeople, including metalsmiths, suggests a diverse skill set among the residents.
Social divisions evident, with high-status buildings clustered together and the emperor’s residence distinctly separate.

Also known as the Temple of the Sun.
Contains unique architecture aiding astronomical observations.
Used for calculating solstices and tracking celestial events, reflecting the Inka's cosmological beliefs.

A carved boulder, known as the hitching post of the sun, used to track the sun’s passage.
Symbolizes the Inka’s relationship with the landscape and supernatural forces.

Discovered by Hiram Bingham III in 1911; excavation yielded numerous artifacts, many taken to Yale University.
Artifacts returned to Peru in 2010, following years of requests.
Ongoing preservation efforts for Machu Picchu due to environmental and human impact; a ticketing system has been implemented to manage visitor numbers.

Machu Picchu is a significant representation of Inka architecture and culture.
Its preservation is critical due to the increasing pressure from tourism and environmental challenges.