Today, the cultural structure of the countries in the Americas has generally been formed by a mixture of many different invading civilizations, especially the Spaniards and the British. But there were civilizations here before, and their culture was truly unique. One of these unique civilizations, the Incas, built the ancient city of Machu Picchu hundreds of years ago.
It is purely by chance that the ancient city of Machu Picchu has survived because the Spaniards destroyed whatever they found, but they could not find it. This building, which was built thousands of meters above sea level, not only fascinates with its architecture, but also gives information about the Incas who lived in the region. Let’s take a closer look at the ancient city of Machu Picchu and see interesting information about it.
Information about the ancient city of Machu Picchu:
- If you search where Machu Picchu is, it is a little difficult to find.
- Neither an iron tool nor any other tool was used while Machu Picchu was being built.
- The structure may have been designed as a huge clock and calendar.
- Every road in the region leads to Machu Picchu.
- When Machu Picchu was first discovered, it was thought to be a women-only city.
- Even the biggest earthquakes can’t wash this place down.
- Machu Picchu is on two important lists of the world.
- It is not known why the Incas left this place.
If you search where Machu Picchu is, it is a little difficult to find:
Of course, you can write Machu Picchu for a map application, but think hundreds of years ago. Machu Picchu, which was probably built by the Inca ruler Pachacutec Yupanqui in the 1400s, was such a tight mountain area that the Spanish invaders who came to the continent in the 1500s did not even see it. Another reason why it can remain hidden is that it is approximately 2500 meters above sea level. Since there is a change in altitude when you go to Machu Picchu, it is recommended that those with different diseases consult their doctor before going.
Neither an iron tool nor a different tool was used when making Machu Picchu:
Some of the stones used in the construction of Machu Picchu can reach up to 50 tons. This is unbelievable because Inca culture did not use iron tools or wheeled vehicles. This means that those huge stones were brought here by people pushing by hand. More interesting are the cuts of the stones. The stones were cut so precisely, even though no iron tool was used, that they fit together perfectly, just like a lego. It is thought that the reason why the Machu Picchu structure has survived to this day is a construction technique called Sillar.
The structure could be designed as a huge clock and calendar:
There are many different answers to the question of why Machu Picchu was built. Of course, this is primarily a temple, but also an observatory. The structures known as the Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana and the Temple of the Three Windows are located in the center of the city. The most notable among these is a specially treated rock called Intihuatana. This rock radiates an interesting energy around it.
This rock, which is thought to create a magnetic field, also functions as a natural clock and calendar, showing the inhabitants of the region what time of day, even month, and year it is. The tall mountains around it are also thought to strengthen this effect.
All roads in the region lead to Machu Picchu:
If you ask if it was hidden, it is hidden for those who do not know. In fact, Machu Picchu was only a part of the urbanization of the Inca civilization, not the whole. In the examinations made in the region, it was seen that the Incas built more than 40 thousand kilometers of roads, bridges and paths. All cities were connected by the most comprehensive transportation system in South America. Machu Picchu, a pillar of this system, consists of more than 150 buildings. There are 200 different stair routes to get to this city at an altitude of thousands of meters, and some of them have close to 3,000 steps. Tourists still use this road to get into the city.
When Machu Picchu was first discovered, it was thought to be a women-only city:
The ancient city of Machu Picchu was first discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. During the excavations, the remains of pottery, pottery and jewelery were found. What was more interesting was that almost all of the skeletons found belonged to women. Based on the findings, it was concluded that this place was a refuge of the Virgins of the Sun, who were devoted to the Inca god. This idea was abandoned when studies carried out in the following years revealed many male skeletons and other finds.
Even the biggest earthquakes can’t wash this place down:
Unfortunately, due to many events, we know that Peru, the country where Machu Picchu is located, is a country of earthquakes. One can’t help but think, how has this place survived for hundreds of years when even the buildings built with modern technology are being demolished? The Incas knew that this was an earthquake zone and even Machu Picchu was built between two fault lines. This is exactly why they used that magnificent stone cutting technique and made the stones compatible with each other like legos. The reason why window and door openings are made more crooked than normal is to increase earthquake resistance.
Machu Picchu is on two important lists of the world:
After its discovery in 1911, the eyes of the whole world turned to Machu Picchu, and every work done was enthusiastically received. In 1983, Machu Picchu was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO. As a result of the voting made by a foundation named New7Wonder in 2007, Machu Picchu; Taj Mahal, Petra Ancient City, Great Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Chichén Itzá Pyramid, Colosseum was selected as the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Why the Incas abandoned this place is unknown:
The ancient city of Machu Picchu was used not only as an observatory, but also as an agricultural area, castle and pilgrimage center. However, it was later abandoned and forgotten except for a few local farmers around. Historians do not know exactly why this place was abandoned.
Of course, the abandonment of Machu Picchu may have been part of this process, as the Incas were destroyed after the Spanish settlers arrived. However, it is estimated that this place was abandoned in 1535 before even the constructions were completed, so the civilization was not completely destroyed yet. According to another and more probable estimation, when the locals started to die one by one due to smallpox transmitted to the area by the Spanish, the place became obsolete and was forgotten within a few generations.
We talked about interesting information about the ancient city of Machu Picchu, some of which you have heard for the first time, although it was built hundreds of years ago. If only the Incas had left a diary behind, if only we knew better why this place was built and why it was abandoned.
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