New Delhi: Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in Peru which is popularly known as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Possibly the most famous symbol of the long-lost Inca Empire, Machu Picchu holds immense historical and cultural significance. Hence, in 1982, it was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
When was Machu Picchu built?
Earlier, it was believed that Machu Picchu was built in the 1450s. But in 2021, a study revealed that Machu Picchu was possibly inhabited from around 1420 to 1530 AD. The construction of the site possibly took place during the reign of the two great Inca rulers, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui and Túpac Inca Yupanqui.
It is believed by the archaeologists that Pachacutec ordered the construction of the royal estate which he intended to use as a retreat. Hence, Machu Picchu was built as a royal estate, but it was probably not passed down in the succession line. It was used for 80 years before people abandoned the place seemingly due to the Spanish invasion of the Inca Empire. It is believed that smallpox, introduced by travellers before the Spanish conquistadors arrived, led to the death of most of its inhabitants.
The diverse population of Machu Picchu
According to studies, most of its inhabitants were immigrants from diverse backgrounds. The diet of the people there included potatoes, maize, legumes, fish, grains and also corn. The immigrants possibly came from coastal areas and moved to Machu Picchu where corn was abundant. Animals including mostly llamas and alpacas lived there and they were taken there from the Puna region for meat and pelts. Guinea pigs also lived there and were used for funerary rituals and were sacrificed for meat.
In the late 16th century, the conquering Spaniards mentioned the area as ‘Huayna Picchu’, believed to be its original name. Towards the end of the 16th century, the Spanish conquistador Baltasar de Ocampo visited a place called Pitcos and it had majestic buildings with splendid architecture.
Who discovered the site?
After the Spanish invasion, as per records, no Europeans visited the place from the late 16th century till the 19th century. There are no written records about the site when it was actively inhabited and it became lost to the outside world. In 1867, a German businessman, Augusto Berns probably re-discovered and plundered the site. There is some evidence which points to the fact that the German engineer J. M. von Hassel went there before Berns.
Whatever we know about Machu Picchu is mainly due to modern archaeologists. It was built in the classical Inca style and its primary structures were the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun. Most of Machu Picchu was restored by 1976 and restoration works are going on to this day.
Earlier, it was believed that Machu Picchu was built in the 1450s. But in 2021, a study revealed that Machu Picchu was possibly inhabited from around 1420 to 1530 AD. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
