# Machu Picchu (DD-118)

> 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.

- Department: Locations (also History)
- First published: 2023-12-12
- Last updated: 2023-12-12
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/machu-picchu/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1911**: Hiram Bingham brings it to world attention
- **1983**: UNESCO lists Machu Picchu
- **2007**: Named one of the New 7 Wonders

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=machu-picchu

## Quick facts

- **DD-118-F01**: Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Inca citadel))_
- **DD-118-F02**: Most think it was an estate for Pachacuti. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Pachacuti))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Inca citadel**: Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru.
2. **Pachacuti**: Most think it was an estate for Pachacuti.
3. **Abandoned**: It was abandoned around the Spanish conquest.
4. **Bingham, 1911**: Hiram Bingham publicized it in 1911.
5. **World Heritage**: UNESCO listed it in 1983.

## Related case files

- [Chichen Itza (DD-120)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/chichen-itza/): I paired it with another of the New 7 Wonders

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'No definitive evidence': most archaeologists accept the royal-estate idea, though details are debated.
- **Note**: 'Rediscovery': local farmers knew it before Bingham.
- **Note**: 'No. 4' is the order of his own series; the New 7 Wonders aren't ranked.

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

- Duration: 44.7 s · Published: 2023-12-12
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0x3PSuNDsD.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which civilization built Machu Picchu?**  
A: In the 15th century. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Inca citadel) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu; UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu)_

**Q: Whose estate is it thought to be?**  
A: Around 1450. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Pachacuti) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu)_

**Q: When was it abandoned?**  
A: In the 16th century. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Abandoned) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu)_

**Q: Who publicized it in 1911?**  
A: A Yale lecturer. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Bingham, 1911) · Wikipedia: Machu Picchu)_

**Q: When did UNESCO list it?**  
A: Historic Sanctuary. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Machu Picchu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu)
- [UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274/)

## 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/