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Home Amazing World  5 Secrets of the lost city of Peru- Machu Picchu

 5 Secrets of the lost city of Peru- Machu Picchu

‘Machu Picchu’ means ‘Old Peak’ or ‘Old Mountain’ in the Quechua Indian language. Sitting 7,000 feet above the sea level in the Andes mountains, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination of Peru. It was built around 1450 AD and was a symbol of the Incan empire. Consisting of more than

150 buildings from temples to baths and houses, this is a site to behold.

Here are 5 secrets of the lost city of Peru- Machu Picchu.

#1. It’s not exactly a lost city

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It was in 1911 that Hiram Bingham, an American explorer ‘discovered’ Machu Picchu. But this wasn’t what he came looking for, he was actually looking for Vilcabamba, where most part of Inca civilization had escaped. But then he came across Machu Picchu, a site that had been abandoned for nearly 400 years with of course the exception of a few indigenous families living there. It’s very unlikely that Bingham was the first person to come across this lost site but he was the first person to publicly reveal this marvellous site to the world in his book ‘The Lost City of the Incas’.

#2. Living with earthquakes

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This is simply an engineering marvel. The stones in the most beautiful buildings in the Inca empire didn’t use any mortar. The stones were cut very clearly and precisely and wedged together in exactly the same manner that you wouldn’t see any space between them. Not only this structure was a sight for sore eyes but it had some engineering advantages as well. Peru is vulnerable to earthquakes and Machu Picchu lies atop two fault lines. So whenever there is an earthquake, the stones in these buildings are said to ‘dance’ and then fall back into their place. The type of technique used there is known as ashlar technique.

#3. The beautiful ‘lost’ city

When Machu Picchu was rediscovered in the 20th century, it was believed to be a sanctuary. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that it was in fact a ceremonial place and a residence. Its terrace farming structures provide a huge support to farming which was a primary occupation of people. It is also believed that it was an excellent astronomical observatory. Its sacred Intihuatana stone indicates the two equinoxes very accurately. Twice in a year, the sun would directly hit the stone and create no shadow.

#4.  There is a secret temple

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Most of the visitors are happy climbing the Huayna Picchu, the most beautiful peak of the ruins. But very few know that there is also a lesser known trail leading to the Temple of the Moon which is located on the far side of this peak. You can see a ceremonial shrine here that has been built into a cave lined with stonework that was probably once used to hold mummies.

#5.  It might have been the end of a pilgrimage

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According to a new theory, Machu Picchu may have been the final leg of a pilgrimage starting from Cusco. It might be keeping in lines with the celestial journey that the first Inca took when they departed from the Sun Island in Lake Titicaca.

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