History of Machu Picchu: The Greatest Symbol of the Inca Empire

Summary

Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic symbols of Inca civilization, is a 15th-century fortress perched high on a mountain crest in southern Peru's Eastern Cordillera. Sitting at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet), it is located 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Cusco, within the Machupicchu District of Urubamba Province. The fortress overlooks the Sacred Valley, and the Urubamba River winds through the valley below, cutting through the Cordillera and forming a tropical mountain canyon. This stunning geographical setting has made Machu Picchu one of the most visited and revered archaeological sites in the world.

Unlike the Mayans, the Incas had no written language, and thus, no records of the site existed during its operation. The first Europeans to visit Machu Picchu did so only in the 19th century, and as a result, much of its history remained shrouded in mystery. Modern archaeologists, relying on tangible evidence such as graves and structural remains, have attributed names and proposed functions for the buildings, but much of the site’s exact purpose remains speculative.

Most contemporary archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, who ruled from 1438 to 1472. Constructed in 1450, the site functioned as a private residence for the emperor and his court. Over time, Machu Picchu became the most well-known image of Inca civilization and is often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas." However, the estate was abandoned in the early 16th century, following the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Recent radiocarbon dating indicates that the site was occupied from around 1420 to 1532.