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Machu Picchu

Short answer: Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba valley in Peru. Most archaeologists think it was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, around 1450.

It was abandoned about a century later, around the time of the Spanish conquest, and there's no record of the Spanish ever reaching it. Local farmers knew the site; the American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1983, and it was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. The footage shows Machu Picchu and Inca-style portraits, with the presenter. This is No. 4 in his Seven Wonders of the New World series.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

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What should you know about Machu Picchu?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru.

    DD-118-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Inca citadel)

  2. Most think it was an estate for Pachacuti.

    DD-118-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Pachacuti)

Video transcript: Machu Picchu: The Spanish Never Found Machu Picchu

The Seven Wonders of the New World No. 4 Machu Picchu DID YOU KNOW? Machu Picchu's exact purpose and function remain a mystery. While it is widely believed to have been a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, there was no definitive evidence as to its specific use. Machu Picchu was often referred to as the Lost City of the Incas, and was abandoned in the 16th century during the Spanish conquests, contributing to its mysterious aura. The site was never mentioned in any Spanish conquistador accounts, and it remained relatively unknown to the outside world until its rediscovery in 1911 by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham. Despite extensive research and archaeological studies, the exact purpose of Machu Picchu continues to be a subject of speculation and debate among historians and archaeologists. The enigmatic nature adds to its allure and fascination. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 44.7s Reel ·

Video coming soonMachu Picchu · Instagram Reel
Machu Picchu: The Spanish Never Found Machu Picchu Instagram Reel · · 44.7s

The write-up

The Spanish never found Machu Picchu. Hiram Bingham brought it to world attention in 1911.

  1. Exhibit A

    Inca citadel

    Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru.

  2. Exhibit B

    Pachacuti

    Most think it was an estate for Pachacuti.

  3. Exhibit C

    Abandoned

    It was abandoned around the Spanish conquest.

  4. Exhibit D

    Bingham, 1911

    Hiram Bingham publicized it in 1911.

  5. Exhibit E

    World Heritage

    UNESCO listed it in 1983.

Questions people ask about Machu Picchu

Which civilization built Machu Picchu?

In the 15th century.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Inca citadel) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu; UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Whose estate is it thought to be?

Around 1450.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Pachacuti) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

When was it abandoned?

In the 16th century.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Abandoned) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

Who publicized it in 1911?

A Yale lecturer.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bingham, 1911) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

When did UNESCO list it?

Historic Sanctuary.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which civilization built Machu Picchu?

    1. The Inca
    2. The Maya
    3. The Aztecs
    4. The Romans
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The Inca In the 15th century. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Inca citadel) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu; UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

  2. Whose estate is it thought to be?

    1. Pachacuti's
    2. Atahualpa's
    3. Montezuma's
    4. Pizarro's
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Pachacuti's Around 1450. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Pachacuti) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

  3. When was it abandoned?

    1. Around the Spanish conquest
    2. Last century
    3. Never
    4. In 1911
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Around the Spanish conquest In the 16th century. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Abandoned) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

  4. Who publicized it in 1911?

    1. Hiram Bingham
    2. Burckhardt
    3. Darwin
    4. Cortés
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hiram Bingham A Yale lecturer. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bingham, 1911) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

  5. When did UNESCO list it?

    1. 1983
    2. 1911
    3. 2007
    4. 1950
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 1983 Historic Sanctuary. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Machu Picchu." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-118, last updated Dec 12, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/machu-picchu/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/machu-picchu/ · Last updated

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