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Machu Picchu facts for Kids

History > Aztec, Maya, and Inca for teenagers

Machu Picchu was a city for the Inca Empire. It is occasionally known as the "lost town" because the Spanish never found the city if they conquered the Inca into the 1500s.

These days the city is a UNESCO World history website and was voted among the New Seven miracles around the globe.

In which is Machu Picchu?

One of the most interesting aspects of Machu Picchu is its location. It sits 8, 000 foot above sea-level atop a mountain within the Andes hill range in south Peru. Three edges associated with city are in the middle of high cliffs that drop over 1, 400 foot to your Urubamba River. During the fourth side of the town is a high hill.

Whenever ended up being Machu Picchu built?

Archeologists believe that the city was initially built at the peak for the Inca Empire all over 12 months 1450. Construction likely carried on on the internet site through to the empire was conquered because of the Spanish when you look at the middle 1500s.

The reason why was it built?

Machu Picchu had been built while the royal estate the ninth Inca King, Pachacuti. Archeologists are not yes the reason why he built it, however. There are certain theories as to the reasons he previously it built. One concept is that it absolutely was a secondary retreat for master. It really is in a warmer place versus capital city of Cuzco. In addition it is within a lovely location and would-have-been a good getaway for the king. Another theory is it had been built as a sacred spiritual site. Perhaps it was a mix of both theories.

The Temple associated with sunlight at Machu Picchu


Exactly how was Machu Picchu built?

Most for the structures are made with stones which are fitted together securely without the using mortar. This form of building helped the buildings to keep intact during earthquakes. The Inca did not use the wheel or have hefty beasts of burden, so all the dedication ended up being done by individuals. It can have taken hundreds of laborers utilizing lawn ropes and levers to maneuver the large stones all over site.

Just who lived here?

Machu Picchu had not been a big town. Most likely just around 1, 000 individuals existed there. It had been most likely a city for the Inca nobility and priests along with their servants.

Whenever ended up being Machu Picchu rediscovered?

The town ended up being rediscovered in July 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham. He had been led here by an area child named Pablito Alvarez. Hiram penned a book about the town labeled as The Lost City associated with the Incas.

In regards to the City

The town of Machu Picchu had been split into three parts:

  • Sacred District - The Sacred District had been residence to a lot of of important temples like the Temple for the Sun and the Intihuatana.
  • Preferred District - This was where in fact the commoners lived who served the nobles and priests. It has little houses and places for saving products.
  • District of Priests and Nobility - This area had nicer homes where the priests while the nobility existed.

Map of Machu Picchu
Click on the picture to see a larger view


The Intihuatana

Among the sacred frameworks within Machu Picchu was the Intihuatana. This is a rock framework your Inca believed helped to carry the sunlight in position and ensure that is stays on its correct path. These rocks were as soon as discovered throughout the Inca Empire, but the majority were damaged by the Spanish.

Source: www.ducksters.com

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