Machu PicchuMachu Picchu

Davis GilmoreDavis Gilmore

WhoWho

It is unknown exactly It is unknown exactly who built Machu who built Machu Picchu. However, it is Picchu. However, it is believed that it was believed that it was originally ordered to originally ordered to be built by Pachacuti be built by Pachacuti Inca, an emperor of Inca, an emperor of the Incas as seen on the Incas as seen on the right.the right.

WhatWhat

Despite what many people believe Machu Despite what many people believe Machu Picchu is actually the name of the mountain Picchu is actually the name of the mountain on which the city lies. On top of Machu on which the city lies. On top of Machu Picchu is a hidden city that was built by the Picchu is a hidden city that was built by the Incas several hundred years ago. Machu Incas several hundred years ago. Machu Picchu was also used for religious purposes, Picchu was also used for religious purposes, as can be seen by the large number of as can be seen by the large number of religious monuments. Its ruins were religious monuments. Its ruins were abandoned, and later discovered in 1911. abandoned, and later discovered in 1911.

WhereWhere

Machu Picchu is located atop the Machu Picchu is located atop the Andean mountain range in Peru, at Andean mountain range in Peru, at an altitude of 9000 feet on the an altitude of 9000 feet on the flattened mountain peak lies the city. flattened mountain peak lies the city. It lies near the Urubamba river as It lies near the Urubamba river as well, but Machu Picchu lies 200 feet well, but Machu Picchu lies 200 feet above it.above it.

WhenWhen

Machu Picchu was likely built Machu Picchu was likely built between 1460 and 1470. Eventually between 1460 and 1470. Eventually it was abandoned in the 1520s, after it was abandoned in the 1520s, after disease and turmoil. Machu Picchu disease and turmoil. Machu Picchu lay hidden an abandoned until 1911 lay hidden an abandoned until 1911 when it was rediscovered.when it was rediscovered.

WhyWhy

Machu Picchu was most likely built as a Machu Picchu was most likely built as a royal estate for Pachacuti Inca. After he died royal estate for Pachacuti Inca. After he died Incans continued to live in the city as a Incans continued to live in the city as a religious sanctuary. After the Spanish had religious sanctuary. After the Spanish had invaded and spread diseases and attacked invaded and spread diseases and attacked the people, most of Machu Picchu’s the people, most of Machu Picchu’s population was dead. Without enough population was dead. Without enough people to sustain the city it was abandoned people to sustain the city it was abandoned by the few remaining people living there.by the few remaining people living there.

HowHow

Machu Picchu was built Machu Picchu was built similarly to how the Inca’s similarly to how the Inca’s built most of their cities. built most of their cities. The city was put together The city was put together with stone, which is cut with stone, which is cut with such accuracy it has with such accuracy it has no explanation. The stone no explanation. The stone was retrieved from a was retrieved from a quarry in the city itself. quarry in the city itself. The roofs on all the The roofs on all the buildings, 140 in total, buildings, 140 in total, were made from branches were made from branches and grass, they were lost and grass, they were lost with time, leaving Machu with time, leaving Machu Picchu without roofs. Picchu without roofs.

PastPast

Machu Picchu was once a thriving city Machu Picchu was once a thriving city with 500 people in it. It supported itself with 500 people in it. It supported itself with water and food. The city also was with water and food. The city also was a major religious center and it was a major religious center and it was placed in a very strategic position placed in a very strategic position despite its purpose. However after the despite its purpose. However after the Spanish invaded the city was Spanish invaded the city was abandoned and left to ruin. abandoned and left to ruin.

PresentPresent

Today Machu Picchu Today Machu Picchu is only ruins. The is only ruins. The city has plant city has plant growth everywhere, growth everywhere, and it has no and it has no inhabitants. It is a inhabitants. It is a popular tourist popular tourist attraction in Peru, attraction in Peru, and a very beautiful and a very beautiful city.city.

How it shapes life in its country How it shapes life in its country todaytoday

Machu Picchu is not necessarily the Machu Picchu is not necessarily the most likely thing to shape life today most likely thing to shape life today in Peru. Machu Picchu is in an in Peru. Machu Picchu is in an isolated spot, far away from most isolated spot, far away from most people. However Machu Picchu is a people. However Machu Picchu is a tourist attraction. As a matter of fact tourist attraction. As a matter of fact 3000 people visit it every day.3000 people visit it every day.

Works CitedWorks Cited

http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machuhttp://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html_picchu.html

http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-mahttp://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-machu-picchu-inca-trail-peru-ecotourism-sidwcmdevchu-picchu-inca-trail-peru-ecotourism-sidwcmdev_054407.html_054407.html

http://www.rediscovermachupicchu.com/http://www.rediscovermachupicchu.com/ http://www.culturefocus.com/peru/pictures/http://www.culturefocus.com/peru/pictures/

machu-picchu-21small.jpgmachu-picchu-21small.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/http://farm1.static.flickr.com/

171/460508801_b828dd0717.jpg?v=0171/460508801_b828dd0717.jpg?v=0 http://swordandspirit.com/library/writings/http://swordandspirit.com/library/writings/

theology/writings_theology/pygmies_files/theology/writings_theology/pygmies_files/yupanqui.jpgyupanqui.jpg