Machu Picchu

When I was in sixth grade our social studies textbook clearly stated that Macchu Picchu was built so the Incas could run and hide from the coming Spanish invaders.  We now know this was not the case.  One of my main goals in writing this blog is to educate.  My hope is to plant seeds so that the reader will want to research more on their own.

What is Machu Picchu?

  Machu Picchu, in the Quechua language, means "Old Peak".  It is 7,970 feet above sea level.  Located 50 miles northwest of Cusco, we now know it was meant to be an estate for the Incan emperor Pachucuti ( 1438-1472). Incan emperors often had estates away from their main ruling cities. Sort of like their own huge Camp David.

The actual Machu Picchu peak.

Huaynu Picchu (young peak)

  The Incas started to build the estate around 1400 A.D.  They abandoned it as an official site for the Inca rulers over a century later during the Spanish Conquest.  The Spanish never learned of the site.  Because of this, the site remained in excellent condition without the violation and graffiti that the Spanish rendered on other Inca sites.
 
   The following designations have been given to Machu Piccu:

• 1981 - Peruvian Historical Sanctuary
• 1983 - Unesco World Heritage Site
• 2007 - One of the New Seven Wonders of the World
• 2008 - World Monuments Fund Watch List.
• Currently under review with Unesco as a "World Heritage Site in Danger".

Possible Early Visitors

  While Hiram Bingham was the first to bring outside attention to Machu Picchu in 1911, he may not have been the first outsider to get there.

   Maps found by historians show references to Machu Picchu as early as 1874.  While not completely proven, there are claims that Machu Picchu was visited by Christian missionaries, Thomas Payne and Stewart McNairn in 1906.  Others may have visited in 1901 to leave their names etched in rock. I actually saw these names, and attempted to photograph them, but could not get close enough.  The area is roped off.  In 1867, German Augusto Berns may have discovered and plundered the site.  Thee is evidence that another German, J.M. von Hassel arrived even earlier.

   And then there are the extraterrestrials.  Given that some people believe the mysterious Nazca lines, near the town of Nazca, in southern Peru are the work of aliens, maybe they visited Machu Picchu, too!

Hiram Bingham and the Yale University Controversy

  Hiram Bingham was a history lecturer at Yale University.  He had visited Peru several times in search of the city of Vilcabamba, the last Inca refuge during the Spanish conquest.  in 1911, 11-year-old Pablito Alvares, a local Quechuas boy, showed Bingham the site of Machu Picchu.  There were local Quechuas people living in the original structures.  Bingham called the complex The Lost City of the Incas.  He made his discovery public to the world on July 24, 1911.  He made several more trips through to 1915, collected several artifacts, and wrote several books on the subject.

  Ceramic vessels, silver statues, jewelry and human bones were just a few of the artifacts excavated and taken by Bingham back to Yale University.  His study period was to be 18 months, and then he would return everything.  However, Yale took possession of the lot, probably with Bingham's approval.  According to Yale, Peru did not have the proper conditions or infrastructure to care for the pieces. Many of these pieces are on display at Yale's Peabody Museum.

  By 2007, Yale and Peru reached an agreement concerning the return of the artifacts.  Some actually have been returned.  A new museum and research facility would be built in Cusco.  Yale would be in charge of the research and help the Peruvians with the museum. This has not happened.  Not much happened on Yale's end of the deal. In fact, Yale has been a tad defensive about the situation.  They have a website about myths concerning the artifacts.  According to them, Peru's civil code of 1852, which was still in place when Bingham visited, allowed him to take artifacts.

   By November 2010, Yale agreed in principal to return all artifacts to Peru.

The Fate of  Machu Picchu

  Tourism is harming Machu Picchu.  There is no doubt about it.  As a tourist, I do feel guilty about leaving my carbon footprint.  The town of Aguas Calientes sits in the valley under the ruins.  Its sole purpose is to take care of tourists. The Unesco Foundation, and World Monuments Fund are studying the situation.  Peru is highly dependent on the tourist trade, and Machu Picchu is its crown jewel - but at what cost?  My goal is to find out what I can do to save this site.

   Peruvians have taken a good stand in protecting the ruins.  When a proposed helicopter landing pad was proposed on the main green of Machu Picchu, an outcropping of rock was removed to make way.  However, the pad was never built, thanks to environmentalists, Peruvians, and groups like Unesco. The well-to-do have to ride the tourist buses with the rest of us unwashed masses!

Enjoy the pictures.