MACHU PICCHU
| "Intipunku" Sun Gate |
Torch Holder
Note how this has
been carved out of
this large bearing
wall stone; to
provide light on
steps
Note how this has
been carved out of
this large bearing
wall stone; to
provide light on
steps
Hanging Post
Another example of
creating dual use out
of a large rock.
Structure, Hanging
Post and leverage pt.
Another example of
creating dual use out
of a large rock.
Structure, Hanging
Post and leverage pt.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The Modern Discovery of
Machu Picchu
American explorer Hiram Bingham,
a professor of history and
philosophy, found the lost city of the
Incas and made the massive
discovery known to the scientific
world. Bingham tells of how he had
given up all hope of finding a lost city
due to the difficulty of the terrain.
While the rest of his exploration
team (3 others) were resting after a
long walk, Bingham, guided by a 12
yr old local boy, finally found the
unexpected wonder, an area
stepped with beautifully built
terraces, he was standing before the
lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu
American explorer Hiram Bingham,
a professor of history and
philosophy, found the lost city of the
Incas and made the massive
discovery known to the scientific
world. Bingham tells of how he had
given up all hope of finding a lost city
due to the difficulty of the terrain.
While the rest of his exploration
team (3 others) were resting after a
long walk, Bingham, guided by a 12
yr old local boy, finally found the
unexpected wonder, an area
stepped with beautifully built
terraces, he was standing before the
lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.
The ruins of the legendary "lost city of the Incas" sit in clouds
escaped destruction by the empire-raiding Spaniards who
never found it.
The ceremonial and agricultural center, never discovered or
looted by the Spaniards, dates to the mid-1400's but seems
even more ancient.
escaped destruction by the empire-raiding Spaniards who
never found it.
The ceremonial and agricultural center, never discovered or
looted by the Spaniards, dates to the mid-1400's but seems
even more ancient.
| Inca architecture can be be seen along side immaculately finished stonework. Here we stand in the doorway showing this craftsmanship. Each block carved to fit with out Mortar and creating a trapezoidal doorway. |
city of MachuPicchu and consists of large terraces. The terrain.
The terraces which are around 3.5 metres tall and 3.2 metres
wide are connected by a network of aqueducts and
steps. The agricultural sector
would have provided food for the
entire populations of
MachuPicchu and also to cultivate plants that
had purpose like maize and coca.
< Coca plant (Sun Gate detail below)
The terraces which are around 3.5 metres tall and 3.2 metres
wide are connected by a network of aqueducts and
steps. The agricultural sector
would have provided food for the
entire populations of
MachuPicchu and also to cultivate plants that
had purpose like maize and coca.
< Coca plant (Sun Gate detail below)
Check out these Steps!
The first four from bottom
are placed but the other 8
are carved out of a boulder.
The first four from bottom
are placed but the other 8
are carved out of a boulder.
Looking at the other photos, where ever there is a wall or steps - there is a natural drainage system |
The Temple of Three Windows
representation of the vision of
representation of the vision of
Andean Cosmology, each level:
The world above (Hanan Pacha),
The world above (Hanan Pacha),
and the underworld (Hurin the
world we live in (Kay Pacha), the
world we live in (Kay Pacha), and
the underworld (Hurin Pacha).
The three windows are the
largest found at Machu Picchu.
representation of the vision of
representation of the vision of
Andean Cosmology, each level:
The world above (Hanan Pacha),
The world above (Hanan Pacha),
and the underworld (Hurin the
world we live in (Kay Pacha), the
world we live in (Kay Pacha), and
the underworld (Hurin Pacha).
The three windows are the
largest found at Machu Picchu.
The area contains a total of 16 springs all connected by a complex canal system
carved source in the peak of MachuPicchu, and is the only place where water still
runs today in the area. The springs had a ceremonial purpose used for purification
and in the water cult
where water
was seen as
an essential
element in relation
to pachamama
(mother earth) and the
giving of life.
Archiologist believe this is
how the Inca roofs were
done. There are a few
buildings that have had
the roofs put on
depicting the
Inca
craftsman-
ship.
With the numerous terraces throughout
Machu Picchu it was necessary to have
means of navigating the levels for farming
and animals.
Note the "Flying stones" that are found
jutting out from the terrace walls.
Click Here to See another View
Machu Picchu it was necessary to have
means of navigating the levels for farming
and animals.
Note the "Flying stones" that are found
jutting out from the terrace walls.
Click Here to See another View
Feeling Cornered
so much fun with all the
so much fun with all the
Drainage
| This is a view of our walk, we are half way there. It is well worth it! You walk the Inca trail for a few hours up the mountain from the Machu Picchu Ruins. The views from the gateway, with Huayna Picchu looming in the background, are spectacular. |
| walking the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate. About a two hour hike up. |
| Climbing the switchbacks. Note the road below left, those switchbacks that the buses use to bring in the 2000 people a day (4,000 People a day peak season) |
| Almost There! |
| WOW - What a View! Click on Image and you can see our hotel nestled in before the gate |
Steps to Primary Lookout
Hard to believe but to reach Machu Picchu on
foot as they did in those days, you had to
walk and this series of steps Must be past to
even reach the ruins. Today of course is a
different story
Hard to believe but to reach Machu Picchu on
foot as they did in those days, you had to
walk and this series of steps Must be past to
even reach the ruins. Today of course is a
different story
At the Top!
| Taking a rest as we look out over the Machu Picchu Site below. |
Sun Gate
Two stone gates here
correspond to the
all-important winter and
summer solstices; on
those dates, the sun's
rays illuminate the
gates like a laser.
Two stone gates here
correspond to the
all-important winter and
summer solstices; on
those dates, the sun's
rays illuminate the
gates like a laser.
Enjoying the view
SUN GATE
