Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a fifteenth-century Inca royal and ceremonial complex in the Peruvian Andes, built on a ridge above the Urubamba River.

Inca Empire: The largest empire in pre-Columbian America, centered in the Andes and ruled from Cusco. Machu Picchu was built within the empire’s highland heartland.
Intihuatana: A carved stone pillar at Machu Picchu, traditionally interpreted as an astronomical or ritual object. This prominent carved stone anchors interpretations of the site’s ceremonial spaces.
Pachacuti: The Inca ruler who expanded the empire in the fifteenth century and reorganized its political center. Machu Picchu is commonly associated with his reign and royal building program.
Yale Peabody Museum repatriation of Machu Picchu artifacts: The return to Peru of archaeological materials excavated at Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham’s expeditions. The dispute raised enduring questions about ownership and excavation rights.
Inca architecture: The architectural tradition of the Inca, known for finely fitted stonework and planned settlements. Its masonry and layout exemplify Inca building practices.
Temple of the Sun (Machu Picchu): A curved stone structure at Machu Picchu built around a natural rock outcrop. Its placement and windows connect architecture with seasonal sunlight.
Cusco: A city in the Peruvian Andes that served as the capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco was the imperial center connected to Machu Picchu.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: A place recognized under the World Heritage Convention for outstanding cultural or natural significance. Machu Picchu received this designation in 1983.
Inca road system: A network of roads connecting the Inca Empire’s administrative centers, settlements, and provinces. Roads linked Machu Picchu with Cusco and nearby settlements.
Room of the Three Windows: A stone building in Machu Picchu’s Sacred Plaza, distinguished by three large trapezoidal openings. Its openings make the Sacred Plaza’s ceremonial architecture especially legible.

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