Notes from Spanish 360 with Fabiana

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Machu Picchu-100 years since discovery of the archeological site

speculated that most of its inhabitants died from smallpox introduced by travelers to the area. Machu Picchu was largely unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian from Yale University. On 24 July 1911, Mr. Bingham announced his discovery of Machu Picchu to the outside world. then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. www.Spanish360withFabiana.com

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Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. July 2011 marks the 100 year anniversary of the discovery of the Machu Picchu archeological site.

Machu Picchu is a 15thcentury Inca site located approximately 8,000 feet above sea level situated in the Andes Mountains 50 miles northwest of Cusco, Peru.

Source: www.incas.com

Source: Wikipedia It is believed that Machu Picchu was built around the year 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire, and was abandoned just over 100 years later, in 1572, as a result of the Spanish Conquest. It is

Machu Picchu in 1911 at time of its discovery Source: Wikipedia

Bingham started archaeological studies and completed a survey of the area. He called the complex "The Lost City of the Incas", which was the title of his first book. Since

No one knows what the real purpose of Machu Picchu was. Some speculate that it was a prison and some say it was a defensive retreat. However, the most common belief is that Machu Picchu was the estate of an emperor of the Incas. Probably one of the most significant features of Machu Picchus history is its architecture. Like the pyramids of Egypt, it was created using massive stones hauled over great distances. However, unlike the Egyptians, the Incas did not use any kind of mortar to bind their stones together. Instead they cut the stones with

such precision that they fit together almost perfectly. This design made the structures highly resistant to earthquakes and is one of the reasons Machu Picchu is still standing today.

Source: Sacred Sites: Places of Peace and Power

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Notes from Spanish 360 with Fabiana

Machu Picchu-100 years since discovery of the archeological site (continued)

Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World . To commemorate the 100 years since Mach Picchus discovery, in the first week of July 2011, there was a five-day long celebration which included a centennial parade, art festivals, music and light festivals and concerts performed by the Orquesta Sinfnica del Cuzco and the Andean Symphony Orchestra. You can find more information regarding the Machu Picchu centennial celebration at the Machu Picchu 100 Anniversary official site. Inca Trail/Camino Inka In 2009 Chris took a trip to Peru and Machu Picchu. He hiked, with his friends, for 3 days on the Inca trail with a tour company called Llama path. www.llamapath.com. As Chris says, The experience was unforgettable but very difficult. If you ever get a chance to go, take it. It is something Ill remember the rest of my life. Following are three pictures of the trip, the beginning point when everyone is fresh and ready to hit the trail, day 2 hiking in the rain and over a mountain crest called Dead Womans Pass and then the last day when they arrived at Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu - hooray!

Trail Head

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