Early morning in wonderful Machu Picchu, a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level. Most archaeologists think Machu Picchu was built around AD 1400 as “an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti” and is often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas.” It is probably the most familiar icon of the Inca World. Around the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1572, the Incas abandoned their empire and the Peruvian jungle swallowed Machu Picchu. It wasn’t rediscovered until 1911 by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham. There are about 140 structures or features, ranging from temples, to sanctuaries, parks, and residences, with more than 100 flights of stone steps carved from a single block of granite. Photo #1 by Pedro Szekely
Machu Picchu’s sunset panorama. Like many explorers, Bingham wasn’t sure what he had discovered. He wrote about stumbling upon Machu Picchu in a 1913 Harper’s Monthly article, “Suddenly we found ourselves in the midst of a jungle-covered maze of small and large walls, the ruins of buildings made of blocks of white granite, most carefully cut and beautifully fitted together without cement. Surprise followed surprise until we came to the realization that we were in the midst of as wonderful ruins as any ever found in Peru.” Bingham added, “Yet so far as I have been able to discover, there is no reference in the Spanish chronicles to Machu Picchu. It is possible that not even the conquistadors ever saw this wonderful place.” Photo #2 by Martin St-Amant
Meet Hiram Bingham III, aka Indiana Jones. See the resemblance? The year is 1911 as Bingham is standing atop ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru. This photo came from a hand-colored glass slide taken by Harry Ward Foote. Professor Foote was a Yale Ph.D. who served as the expedition collector and naturalist on Bingham’s expeditions to Peru. Photo #3 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database
The Inca Bridge, near Machu Picchu. Photo #4 by Martin St-Amant
A few ruined buildings and structural terraces remain on Wayna Picchu, the summit often seen behind Machu Picchu. Photo #5 by Sascha Wenninger
Wayna Picchu viewed from Machu Picchu’s access gate. The Incas were masters of the ashlar technique of building. They cut blocks of stone that fit together tightly without using mortar. Many junctions in the central city are so perfectly cut and constructed that not even a blade of grass fits between the stones. By not using mortar, the buildings are able to withstand earthquakes. Photo #6 by Martin St-Amant
Rainbow over the Andes and Machu Picchu. Photo #7 by Thomas Quine
An odd photo to be sure, but the photographer explained. “This skull was deformed by binding wood to the skull of a new born baby, a common Inca practice. Yucay valley, Peru. There have been movies and TV specials that have suggested it was an alien skull….LOL.” Photo #8 by Dennis Jarvis
Tourists on Incan terraces. The ruins of Machu Picchu are divided into two main sections, Urban and Agricultural Sectors which are divided by a wall. The Agricultural Sector is further subdivided into Upper and Lower sectors, while the Urban Sector is split into East and West sectors, and further separated by a wide plaza. Photo #9 by Samuel Renard
The photographer wrote, “We were there measuring astronomical alignments during sunrise on the solstice. It was every bit as awesome as it sounds, and considerably awesomer than this photo conveys.” Photo #10 by dann toliver
Temple of the Moon on Huayna Picchu, near Machu Picchu. Photo #11 by Martin St-Amant
Machu Picchu is surrounded by these beautiful pink orchids. Photo #12 by Matt Riggott
Llactapata, a ruined settlement along the Inca trail in Peru. Photo #13 by Bcasterline
A llama sits atop one of the terraces of Machu Picchu, Peru, admiring the view. Photo #14 by Roger Nelson
A Mountain Caracara taking off from a wall at the Lost City of the Incas. Photo #15 by Ville Miettinen
The photographer noted, “This is from the paths through the small patch of cloud forest behind the lodge we stayed at near the base of Machu Picchu. All of the Inkaterra lodges we stayed at were very well integrated with their native environments, and this was not exception. Not shown: the dozens of hummingbirds and dozens more orchid species thriving on their grounds.” Photo #16 by icelight
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu in Peru. Photo #17 by Rick McCharles
This llama seems to be posing for a picture. Photo #18 by Robert Luna
Temple of the Sun. According to archaeologists (and Wikipedia), the urban sector of Machu Picchu was divided into three great districts: the Sacred District, the Popular District to the south, and the District of the Priests and the Nobility. Located in the first zone are the primary archaeological treasures: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. These were dedicated to Inti, their sun god and greatest deity. Photo #19 by Fabricio Guzmán
Terraces, tourists and a llama. Photo #20 by Martin St-Amant
The photographer wrote, “Our guide to Machu Picchu demonstrates what are believed to be stocks to constrain prisoners.” Photo #21 by Dan Lundberg
These stairs lead to the “Popular District” which is also called the “Residential District.” It was where the lower-class people lived. It includes storage buildings and simple houses. There is also a royalty area which was meant for the nobility; that group of houses are located in rows over a slope. Houses for the Amautas (wise persons) was characterized by its reddish walls, while the zone of the Ñustas (princesses) had trapezoid-shaped rooms. Photo #22 by Roger Nelson
1911 Bingham expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru, taken from a series of hand-colored glass slides. At top left is the explorers and crew on the road along the Urubamba River. The top right and lower left are of the expedition crew trekking through the overgrown jungles of Peru. On the lower right is a photo of the ruins before clearing away the vegetation as Bingham first encountered Machu Picchu. Photos in #23 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database
Do ghosts of Incas roam in the foggy ruins? Photo #24 by ckmck
The interior of a partially restored Inca building that features trapezoidal windows. The Inca designed walls to help protect them against damage and from collapsing in an earthquake. Doors and windows have this trapezoidal design and and tilt inward from bottom to top. The corners are usually rounded, while inside corners often incline slightly into the rooms. “L”-shaped blocks were used to tie outside corners of the structure together. These walls do not rise straight from bottom to top, but are offset slightly from row to row. Photo #25 by Martin St-Amant
This is by far the most popular of the Inca trails for trekking. It’s called the Capaq Nan trail, which leads from the city of Cusco to the so-called “Lost City of the Incas.” Bingham remarked on the fact that Machu Picchu is only a 5 day hike from Cusco. You can still make that trip if you are daring and willing to hike. You should be in good shape to take the Incan Trail and plan on 3 – 6 days for your journey. Photo #26 by Pajaro
From Yale Peruvian Expedition these glass slides represent (from left to right): Indigenous Peruvians, Bingham atop ruins after clearing the overgrowth at Machu Picchu, Harry Ward Foote who accompanied Hiram Bingham and acted as photographer for expedition, Indians and lamas in front of ruins, Transport for the expedition crew crossing a river on downed trees while carrying packs. Photos in #27 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database
The photographer pointed out, “For all the attention paid to the awesome construction of the city itself, not enough credit is given to the amount of work it took just to insure Machu Picchu didn’t instantly slide off of its precarious perch. This system of terraces serve as reinforcement, holding the bulk of the city thousands of feet above the valley floor. Dramatically they appear to suddenly end, the depths leaving the viewer unsupported high above the steep Andean cliffs.” Photo #28 by icelight
A man in 1911 sitting on Incan ruins in Peru. Photo #29 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database
Apparently all creatures enjoy the views. Photo #30 by Marrovi
Small water canal sweeping through the ruins. The 140 structures were interconnected by channels; water-drains perforated in the rock were designed for the original irrigation system. Evidence implies that the irrigation system was used to carry water from a holy spring to each of the houses. The Inca Empire was amazing. Photo #31 by Martin St-Amant
The photographer wrote, “Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this outstanding Sanctuary rises above 2400 meters sea level. Also known as The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the most important and visited destinations in South America.” Photo #32 by Danielle Pereira
View of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu, showing the Hiram Bingham Highway used by tour buses to and from the town of Aguas Calientes. Photo #33 by Martin St-Amant
Ruins in the Lost City. The photographer remarked, “Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2430 metres (7970 ft) above sea level.” Photo #34 by nwhitford
According to the photographer, “Making your way down from the impressive Inca ruins of Phuyu Pata Marca is hard on the knees, but the sight of an impressive rainbow over the mountains is a welcome distraction. Inca Trail, near Huinay Huayna, Peru.” Photo #35 by Jayegirl99
Panorama of the ruins taken on a cloudy day. Mornings are often foggy as the Lost City is surrounded by a cloud-forest high in the Andes Mountains. Photo #36 by Martin St-Amant
Machu Picchu is situated above a loop of the Urubamba River, which surrounds the site on three sides, with cliffs dropping vertically for 450 metres (1,480 ft) to the river at their base. Photo #37 by Alexson Scheppa Peisino
After “discovering” the ruins, Bingham believed the complex was the traditional birthplace of the Incan “Virgins of the Suns” which was an elite group who took a vow of chastity. Their high priestess was of noble blood. But after human remains were found at Machu Picchu that proved not all the people were women, the “Virgins of the Suns” theory was disproved. Photo #38 by refractor
The old mountain, Machu Picchu, as seen from the young mountain, Huayna Picchu. Photo #39 by HÃ¥kan Svensson
The photographer said this was where they crossed the Apurimac River, located at 1750 meters (over 5,741 feet) above sea level. According to the legend, the name Apurimac means ‘talking river’ because during rainy seasons, “a great amout of water drags the rocks which hit one another and produce a sound pretty much alike a human conversation.” Photo #40 by Danielle Pereira
Panoramic photograph of the residential section. Photo #41 by Martin St-Amant
The Urubamba river seen from 600 meters (over 1,968 feet) above. Photo #42 by HÃ¥kan Svensson
Machu Picchu in the clouds. Photo #43 by GothamNurse
Machu Picchu from the top of Wayna Picchu. Photo #44 by Colegota
The two photos of Incan ruins at Machu Picchu were taken in 1911. On the right is Hiram Bingham III at his tent door near near the ruins a year later in 1912. Photos in #45 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images Database
This is the ruins of Machu Picchu as they are now, 100 years after Bingham rediscovered the ‘Lost City of the Incas.’ Photo #46 by Dennis Jarvis
Fantástico. Que lugar tan maravilloso. Excelentes fotografÃas.
Indescribably beautiful remains of what was a great civilization of people.
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Did you know Machu Picchu was discovered for Agustin Lizarraga in 1902? 9 years before Hiram Bingham.
Yes what a ‘great’ civilization. Here is a description of one of their ‘great’ pastimes, the sacrifice of children to their demonic gods.
in the moment of the sacrifice children were semiconscious. Some children may have been left to succumb due to exposure to the cold. But others had a horrific death: scientists found vomit and diarrhea on their clothes, pointing to a violent death. The vomit contained the hallucinogenic drug achiote, also encountered in the stomach and feces. They were likely to have been asphyxiated, the body being crushed by their clothes, so strongly that the ribs and pelvis were sometimes broken. The bodies of the sacrificed children were mummified by the dry cold of the Andes, including hair and inner organs. In fact, Inca children represent one of the best naturally cold preserved mummies.
People need to stop soaking up the lies of cultural Marxism.
Cultural Marxism? What in the world are you talking about? Marxists aren’t particularly favorable to theocratic empires. You might recall that you are from a civilization that invented and widely used machine guns, napalm, and carpet bombing of civilian populations. Talk about human sacrifice! At the time the Spanish arrived, all the European nations (specifically including the English) were regularly using methods of torture and execution that were far more horrific than anything the Incas were doing.
The victims described to which you reply were destroyed by their own. The inventions to which you allude were invented to defend our civilization from the ilk of those destroyers.
These are magnificent photos ! Thank you Alex Fitch for sharing them 🙂
Wow- Simply stunning photos that make me want to jet down there to experience it for myself. Made my paper on ancient North/South America much more exciting!
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. I’M A RETIRED CONSTRUCTION WORKER AND THIS BLOWS MY MIND. TAKE A REAL LONG LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY DID THIS AND HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE. WHAT DID THEY USE TO MOVE ALL THAT STONE WORK.
thanks to my son, nicholas, for finding this beauty for me.
caroline
I am totally impressed with early man’s intelligence and ability to create the magnifigant structures as seen in these photos using no cement. I believe they were influenced by a deity that they thought inhabited the celestial landscape just as the Romans and Greeks built their cathedrals.
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I am lost for words.
The little trails completely integrated with the environment surrounded by orchids and humming birds – it would seem “of course” what greater height could be achieved in life than to simply walk among living beauty and know it. Then to look out on the world from on top, to share these wonders every day with your family and people. _ the 21st century. Thanks for sharing.
Good n Good I havent seen this scenery so im going to there after few years
Wonderful picture story of M P !! I got quite nostalgic as I was so very fortunate to visit there in 1979. It was truly a unique experience.
Truly magnificent. The mixture of old and modern photographs plus the simple historical information was like a guide tour. I want to go there.
wow, this pic are magnificent id love to travel to there and see these gorgeous sites, its spectacular, im in awwwww of it all.
Es un sitio magico, hermosos que debe conocerse
Thanks for this post, these are the most amazing shots of Machu Picchu I’ve ever seen!
Beautiful photos! Machu Picchu is one of our favorite destinations in the world; there’s nothing quite like the view of the ruins. We have a 360-degree tour on our site. Of the pictures above, it’s a tough call, but I think my favorites are the first image and photo #36; the light is so beautiful in both of these, and the clouds surrounding the ruins just make it even more ethereal. Thank you for sharing these!
such an awesome wonder of the world! To God be the glory!
what a beautiful peaceful place this is. Our world should reflect on these pictures. It was truly uplifting to me to spend the time viewing them. Thank you.
THIS IS AWESOME, I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY BEAUTIFUL SHOTS OF THIS GREAT SITE. WORDS FAIL ME.
its really god made not by men its awesome
Yeah, ‘God’ didn’t make it, ok? This awesome spectacle is mans creation all the way.
Love this place, I hope one day be there.Did you know Machu Picchu was discovered for Agustin Lizarraga in 1902? 9 years before Hiram Bingham.
Enrique Palma, Gabino Sanchez and Agustin Lizarraga left their names engraved on one of the rocks at Machu Picchu on July 14,1901
None of the structures have a roof.
What were they made of?
What caused them to disappear? (fire? wind? time?)
Did they have common bathes?
I have heard of the Machu Picchu but have not seen them until now.
[…] The Temple of the Sun […]
Wow, I had often heard of Machu Picchu and had been advised to visit it but I had no idea what it was. These pictures really bring it alive for me. Much appreciated.
Thank you
Tony
I trekked the Inca Trail 12 years ago with my beautiful mum, who sadly passed away 5 weeks ago. As I look at these images I clearly remember every step of this arduous trek and the sheer wonder that filled us when we caught our first glimpse of this breathtaking place. Seeing Machu Picchu for myself was the fulfilment of a dream and that I saw it with my mum made it even more wonderful.
Thank you folks for these pictures, sent to me by an old classmate from Oklahoma. I truly cannot find words of appreciation. I try to imagine living there, how wonderful, even without electricity, would it be? To awaken in the clouds and to take in the views. More than wonderful. Thanks again.
Would be A beautiful place to vist
Would be A beautiful place to see
Yes these are such good, and beautiful pictures. You have to know that there is a God. With so many unblieveable places. I will send these to many of my friends.
Thank you so much for these absolutely fabulous pictures. I would love to visit this place. Just Beautiful.
Despite my being an old fart, I not only completed the Inca Trail trek, but I also scaled the veritable vertical Waynu Picchu but, my being short, two gorgeous young lads had to yank me up through the gap in the stones on the summit. Positively terrifyingd if devois of a head for heights. Arriving at Machu Picchu, at the culimiation on the trek, was an incredibly emotional experience.
Great pictures, will be in Machu Picchu experiencing this amazing place with my own eye in the coming months.
Awesome…emotional..to realize how the humans of today are destroying our planet..see what human forefathers did to preserve the earth for us today…..nothing resembling this site will be left behind by us..but this site will..may be..the only indication left of our existence
If you knew the actual history of this place and all Inca ruins you would not be so enthusiastic about “what they did to preserve the earth for us today”. They did nothing of the kind. This was a warlike people that sacrificed men, women, and children. Their culture terraformed as much of the land as they could. They developed and then over-developed their lands, and destroyed the forests to burn the trees to make the mortar for the frescoes. Do a little reading. This was NOT some idyllic group of saintly virgins building a preserve for the future of mankind, but was a twisted theocracy deeply rooted in war and conquest in which cruelty and torture played an integral part.
As for our destroying everything on this planet except possibly this site, what HAVE you been smoking? People have been terraforming and modifying the planet since mankind learned to make fire. As we continue to do now. And somehow, the planet seems to be able to absorb our abuse.
Absolutely amazing ! Excellent photography. A wonderfully well preserved historic site.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for bringing back sweet memories of touring Machu Pichu in 1972 with our children then at ages 7 and 9, when there were few visitors and children were the eager guides who ran up and down the mountain to beat the tour buses as they labored up the steep roads.
Fantastic photography. Never made it as a travel agent….now the altitude is too much for me. Thank you Jeanne and Michael for the wonderful trip. Jackie
The altitude is not as high as one thinks. Cusco is higher, but if you acclimate in Cusco for a few days, then you can appreciate this magical wonder. One of my favorite destinations in the world!
Absolutely fantastic. I ever wanted to visit this place but view to my age and health no longer possible.
In 1964 I have been in Copiapo, so at least I have smelled something of the Inca treasures.
absolutely breathtaking !!!
absolutely breathtaking
man could never make such beautiful
shots as such, but God in his infinite
wisdom, grace and knowledge has,even
when he made you and i.
Another Civilization Gone with the Wind
Thanks to White God
Always wanted to visit this place but now, seeing the pictures, I’d have been scared to death! Magnificent photography. My respect for the builders is monumental, as well as for the photographer who took the pictures.
[…] Interested in seeing other rediscovered ‘lost’ civilizations? Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu: 100 Years after Discovery by ‘Indiana Jones’ […]
Beautiful how did they do it and at what cost to lives,
what would they think of our building today,not a lot I think.
WOW AMAZING
HEY JANE,
SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK
COY
I have always thought that something was wrong at Machu; Food does not grow very well at that altitude frost comes early growing season short; where does the water come from on top of a hill to give a supply to a large number of people all year round? Where did the human refuse go?
Thanks for the exceptional pictures that bring back treasured memories. I hiked the spectacular Inca trail at age 75 (a not-to-be missed four day awe-inspiring trek, including huffing and puffing over the 14,000ft+,’Dead Woman’s Pass’) These pictures reflect the amazing stonework completed by these early people. Hundreds of miles of upper and lower altitude trails. The stone construction and engineering to support the trails has to be seen to be believed. What is more amazing is that they did not have iron chisels but relied on harder hematite rock tools to shape each individual granite stone piece.
Whilst Macchu Picchu is certainly the magnificent showpiece, I would encourage every visitor to look ‘behind the scenes’ and appreciate the Inca skills in constructing their buildings and trails. (in comparison most colonial Spanish structures have long since crashed to the ground due to earthquakes, etc. All Inca structures still proudly stand ‘as is’ to this day.)
We were fortunate enough to visit MP just two months ago. It was so magical, fascinating, and mysterious. One can’t help but wonder how the Incas built such a magnificent complex. And earthquake-proof at that! To truly enjoy and appreciate MP, one needs to silently soak up the view. An unforgettable experience for us, that’s for sure.
Thank God this was acknowledged as a World Heritage Site! Fascinating photographs. I cannot imagine what it would be like to actually be there …. to see and touch the stones that make this great city, to breathe the same air the Incas breathed so long ago and to walk in their footsteps. It’s almost too much to fathom! Absolutely awesome, to say the least! I would give anything to actually see this in person before I meet my Maker.
[…] Interested in seeing other rediscovered ‘lost’ civilizations?Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu: 100 Years after Discovery by ‘Indiana Jones’ […]
TRULY AMAZING.BREATHTAKING. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE PICTURES. I AM SHARING THEM TOO.
[…] Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu: 100 Years after Discovery by ‘Indiana Jones’ […]
Gorgeous, amazing.
But would you religitards please stop needing to give your god (whichever god that may be)the credit? What is *wrong* with you people? That’s a most incredible insult to the planners and workers who labored immensely, building sites such as this.
Great shots. I just love when people are exicted to see the wonderful places South America has to offer to the world.
[…] you think about the Incas, does Machu Picchu come to mind? While that might be where your destination starts or ends in Peru, there is so much […]
[…] Machu Picchu may be your “main” destination, but there are plenty of mysterious ruins and secrets in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Photo #33 by Pedro Szekely […]
Splendid photos.
One of my favorite destinations in the world! I climbed Huayna Picchu in 1990 – then when I went back 22 years later, I wondered how I did it!! These pictures are fabulous – too bad there are so many hordes of people visiting there now….
[…] miniature of Machu Picchu. Photos taken from an elevated viewpoint, or aerial views work well for tilt-shift photography. […]
Thank you for these beautiful photos! I had a chance in 1999 when we cruised from Miami to Chile, but now that I am 81 and am very healthy, I could have been able to manage that elevation 22years ago! I chickened out! My daughter and son-in-law-are going in October on a leisurely climb to see these sights, as well as, go on the Amazon cruise. Too adventurous for me, so I declined to join them!
I went there about 40 years ago, taking the train from Cusco to Machu Pichu.
I was amazed than and am again now, These wonderful photos are showing me more than I had
seen at the time,
Thanks a lot
Dieter
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CONOCER LA HISTORIA ES GRANDIOSO, PORQUE TE LLENA TU ESPIRITU.
VER LAS FOTOGRAFIAS TOMADAS A COMIENZOS DE 1900, ES UN BUEN PUNTO DE PARTIDA
A LO QUE AHORA SE OBSERVA DE MACHUPICHI. GRACIAS AMIGOS,…..
My lady friend and I travelled to many places over the decades . The trip to Peru which included
Machu Picchu was one of the best. These pictures I will save.
Not only did they create this without any kind of mortar, some of these stones are extremely heavy. Yet the Incans were able to place them so that they fit together almost seemlessly. There is only one long trail that leads up to this city, so how in the world did they even get everything up there? Without the technology we have today they still somehow developed this miraculous place. Awe inspiring to say the least.
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Прекрасные фотографии, ведет человека на несколько сот лет прошлое .Спасибо Вам большое за такое творчество и труд.С удовольствием смотрел !!!