The Mystery of Machu Picchu

Written by Nick
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Published on April 15, 2012

Until its sudden “discovery” in 1911 by an American historian, the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu was long hidden from the world, having been abandoned by those who created it in 1572. Located more than 2,400 meters above sea level, high in the Andes, this estate is an engineering marvel, featuring a vast system of terraces for farming, and walls that are built from enormous stones that have been precisely cut to fit, offering substantial protection from earthquake-prone Peru. But scientists have long been puzzling over one missing piece of the puzzle: how was Machu Picchu built? Evidence shows that they did not utilize the wheel or pack animals, but there is none that explains just how they did build it, and what its true purpose was.

Today, Machu Picchu serves as a World Heritage Site and an attraction for around half a million people per year. Check out this couple’s video of their experience in the forgotten city.

Image via romanschuster

Nick

Nick