Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is a mysterious place, perhaps as it is frequently photographed with a mist of low clouds obscuring its stone terraces. Well good thing it was a clear day – because Myth 1: With a nickname of the ‘Lost City of Incas’ it has evolved to represent the Incas. Although the site was constructed around the 1400s, it was abandoned around a century later during the Spanish conquests or Peru. False: The construction of Machu Pichu is likely to have taken place over a series of centuries as evidenced in the different architectural styles of the buildings. In addition, the reason for the departure of the residents is not clear and is unlikely to be directly linked to the Spanish (as the Spanish never arrived in Machu Picchu). Myth 2: Machu Picchu was then not uncovered until Hiram Bingham in 1911. False: In reality, local settlers had been using part of the settlement for their own farming purposes in the lead up to Hiram Bingham’s visit. The settlers are the ones who took the Yale historian around the site. There are still areas that are overgrown in part of a archeological reserve that will be investigated in the future when more advanced tools are in place. Myth 3: Machu Picchu was a historical site to celebrate ‘Virgins of the Suns’. False: Bingham reached this assumption as his graduate students at the time deduced that all the remains at the site were female – however sad but true when you have grad students doing everything – this was later determined to be false. The religious and spiritual nature of the site has been confirmed given the unique geography and temples present. Just to not get any more myths started – there are various sectors that make up Machu Picchu including these ceremonial areas, such as residential, agriculture and industry. Myth 4: The Incas were advanced astronomers of their time. True: The Incas were truly impressive with their astronomy, with an appreciation for movements of the planets, sun and moon. This is captured in a number of rock formations – such as water mirrors to observe the sky or a delicately carved rock to reveal a condor in its shadow on the solstice. One bit they didn’t get quite right however was that they believed the sun orbited the earth. This is reflected in the Intihuanta, hitching post of the sun, a perfectly angled rock so that in November and January so that no shadow would fall. Myth 5: The greatest threat to Machu Picchu in the long term are not the natural phenomenon of earthquakes and weather, but rather the demand for tourists to visit the site. True: Tourists are an ongoing concern for the welfare of the site. UNESCO and other international bodies have pressured the Peruvian government regarding restricting access to the site, however they have been met with resistance as it is a lucrative to the local economy. Traveller Tips: Like with the Inca trail, the number of spaces is limited. It is best to book in advance (although there are more spots available). Make sure you get an entry into Huayana Picchu which offers a spectacular view of the site (two slots for timed entry). If you are planning on doing the Inca Trail, book in an extra day at Machu Picchu it is worth it (generally a few hours is provided at the end of the trek), but the reality is you will be tired and it will feel rushed – so better take your time if you can.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 01:09:18 +0000