Photos tagged 'macchu picchu'

Everyday view from an Inca window..

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:22:57 GMT

Everyday view from an Inca window..

The Inca's built this town at 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a...

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:20:45 GMT

The Inca's built this town at 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain towering more than 800 metres above AguasCalientes in order for safety purposes: both military and geographical. The area is subject to earthquakes, pouring showers, avalanches and landslides. Above all, though, their main purpose was to be closer to their gods, the sun and moon.

Photo by Clotilde

Below is the town of AguasCalientes, next to the Rio Urabamba in that steep...

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:20:22 GMT

Below is the town of AguasCalientes, next to the Rio Urabamba in that steep V-shaped Valley.

Photo by Clotilde

Behind is the WaynaPicchu, the young mountain.

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:18:00 GMT

Behind is the WaynaPicchu, the young mountain.

Photo by Clotilde

In the royalty area, a sector existed for the nobility: a group of houses...

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:14:59 GMT

In the royalty area, a sector existed for the nobility: a group of houses located in rows over a slope; the residence of the Amautas (wise persons) was characterized by its reddish walls, and the zone of the Ñustas (princesses) had trapezoid-shaped rooms. The Monumental Mausoleum is a carved statue with a vaulted interior and carved drawings. It was used for rites or sacrifices.

Photo by Clotilde

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:14:58 GMT

Photo by Clotilde

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:06:29 GMT

Photo by Clotilde

The Guard Post house on top is found before the main gate and consists of a...

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:05:29 GMT

The Guard Post house on top is found before the main gate and consists of a three-walled building with windows, from which the urban and agricultural areas can be seen, as well as all the surroundings.

Photo by Clotilde

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:02:12 GMT

Photo by Clotilde

The agricultural sector occupies all the southeastern part of the citadel. It...

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:00:16 GMT

The agricultural sector occupies all the southeastern part of the citadel. It presents a series of terraces of different shapes and sizes built into the hillsides that are up to 4 meters in height, and whose two main purposes were for crop growing and controlling rain-produced erosion.

The agricultural sector is divided into an upper and lower half. The upper half presents five sections, the Apacheta (sacred marking stone), and over forty terraces. The lower half has seven sections, four major fields and around 80 terraces.

Photo by Clotilde

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:56:44 GMT

Photo by Clotilde

Astronomical Observatory, reflecting the sun's rays and clouds. Machu Picchu...

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:55:54 GMT

Astronomical Observatory, reflecting the sun's rays and clouds. Machu Picchu has at least two structures that may have had astronomical importance. The first is a stone pillar that the Incas called "for tying the Sun," or "intihuatana." This pillar may have been associated with the winter solstice. The second structure of interest astronomically is a room known as the Torreon which may have been a primitive observatory. It includes a natural stone altar that is enclosed by a beautifully designed spiral wall, with windows of various shapes and sizes built into it.

Photo by Clotilde

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:51:51 GMT

Photo by Clotilde

Located in the first zone are the primary archaeological treasures: the...

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:50:50 GMT

Located in the first zone are the primary archaeological treasures: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. These were dedicated to Inti, their sun god and greatest deity. The Popular District, or Residential District, is the place where the lower class people lived. It includes storage buildings and simple houses to live in.

Photo by Clotilde

Machu Picchu was divided into three great districts: the Sacred District, the...

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:47:28 GMT

Machu Picchu was divided into three great districts: the Sacred District, the Popular District, to the south, and the District of the Priests and the Nobility.

Photo by Clotilde

The site was brought to worldwide attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an...

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:47:09 GMT

The site was brought to worldwide attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian.

Photo by Clotilde

It was built around the year 1450, but abandoned a hundred years later, at...

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:42:51 GMT

It was built around the year 1450, but abandoned a hundred years later, at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. The Incas then managed to keep it secret for centuries.

Photo by Clotilde

"The Lost City of the Incas"

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:42:18 GMT

"The Lost City of the Incas"

Photo by Clotilde