These agricultural terraces, built in the 15th century, were still in limited use by local farmers when Bingham arrived in the early 20th century.
These terraces were a work of considerable engineering, built to ensure good drainage and soil fertility while also protecting the mountain itself from erosion and landslides. Modern soil studies reveal the major crops were corn and potatoes. These terraces are below the districts named “Industrial Zone” and “Factory Houses.” A cliff of Huayna Picchu is in the background.
This photograph demonstrates either repair of or adaptation to landslides.
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
I set up a Manfrotto BeFree tripod with the Canon EOS 1DS Mark III mounted with the Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS USM lens. The lens is fast enough for the clear images from the train. Here, stabilized on a tripod, we can see tourists climbing and gathering on the peak as well as the terraces and ruins on top.
“Huayna Picchu, Quechua: Wayna Pikchu, is a mountain in Peru around which the Urubamba River bends. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. It rises over Machu Picchu, the so-called lost city of the Incas. The Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The peak of Huayna Picchu is 2,693 meters (8,835 ft) above sea level, or about 260 meters (850 ft) higher than Machu Picchu.”
“According to local guides, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins. Every morning before sunrise, the high priest with a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to signal the coming of the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples in the Machu Picchu area, is nestled on the side of the mountain and is situated at an elevation lower than Machu Picchu. Adjacent to the Temple of the Moon is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with fine masonry. The other major local temples in Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Principal Temple, “Unfinished Temple”, and the Temple of the Sun, also called the Torreon.“
Terraces are salient, to left of peak is a roofless, gabled ruin. Look carefully to find climbing tourists and groups on terraces. Huayna Picchu
“Its name is Hispanicized, possibly from the Quechua, alternative spelling Wayna Pikchu; wayna young, young man, pikchu pyramid, mountain or prominence with a broad base which ends in sharp peaks, “young peak”. The current Quechua orthography used by the Ministerio de Cultura is Waynapicchu and Machupicchu.”
Terraces are salient, to left of peak is a roofless, gabled ruin. Look carefully to find climbing tourists and groups on terraces. Huayna Picchu.
Reference: Wikipedia “Huayna Picchu.”
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
The wall with six rectangular windows is part of the “Prison Group”, a labyrinthine complex of cells, niches and passageways, positioned both under and above the ground. A portion of agricultural terraces is to the right and foreground. Look closely to see a group of tourists in the “Industrial Zone” district.
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
These agricultural terraces, built in the 15th century, were still in limited use by local farmers when Bingham arrived in the early 20th century. These terraces were a work of considerable engineering, built to ensure good drainage and soil fertility while also protecting the mountain itself from erosion and landslides. Modern soil studies reveal the major crops were corn and potatoes. These terraces are below the districts named “Industrial Zone” and “Factory Houses.” A cliff of Huayna Picchu is in the background.
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
On our way to the Urban Sector of Machu Picchu I capture the peak of Huayna Picchu above a rough stone wall. “Huayna Picchu, Quechua: Wayna Pikchu, is a mountain in Peru around which the Urubamba River bends. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. It rises over Machu Picchu, the so-called lost city of the Incas. The Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The peak of Huayna Picchu is 2,693 meters (8,835 ft) above sea level, or about 260 meters (850 ft) higher than Machu Picchu.”
A fellow group of tourists wait for entry to the citadel
“According to local guides, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins. Every morning before sunrise, the high priest with a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to signal the coming of the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples in the Machu Picchu area, is nestled on the side of the mountain and is situated at an elevation lower than Machu Picchu. Adjacent to the Temple of the Moon is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with fine masonry. The other major local temples in Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Principal Temple, “Unfinished Temple”, and the Temple of the Sun, also called the Torreon.“
The end of a long climb
“Its name is Hispanicized, possibly from the Quechua, alternative spelling Wayna Pikchu; wayna young, young man, pikchu pyramid, mountain or prominence with a broad base which ends in sharp peaks, “young peak”. The current Quechua orthography used by the Ministerio de Cultura is Waynapicchu and Machupicchu.”
“Young Peak” rises above the “Lost City of the Incas.”
Reference: Wikipedia “Huayna Picchu.”
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
We enter Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the trail leading from Intipunku (the Sun Gate), which nowadays is the finish of the classic 4 days Inca Trail hike. There is also an entrance from the west from Vilcabamba.
The Guardhouse also known as the Caretakers Hut was a thatched roofed building constructed from crude stones and featured 3 walls and one open long side. The Guardhouse was a building used by soldiers who guarded two main entrances to Machu Picchu.
Below the Guardhouse are three thatch-roofed stone huts, the entrance trail passed beneath the lowest, shown here. A cliff of Huayna Picchu forms the background.
The Guardhouse is one of the first attractions on the upper tourist circuit around Machu Picchu. From its commanding high position in the south of the citadel, it is one of the best places for panoramic views of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and surrounding mountains. On the stretcher descending the steps below the Caretaker’s Hut is a woman who collapsed during the tour. In attendance is her family and medical personnel.
Touring the site requires some stamina and care, there are many steep stone stairs to negotiate at approximate 8,000-foot altitude.
This is another view of the lowest stone hut with Urubamba River valley in background. We visited during rainy season and were well equipped with raincoats and umbrellas. By way of orientation, the red bromeliad in in the first photograph.
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
This was as close as we came to the Sun Gate, an important viewpoint in the Inca citadel. As Machu Picchu was originally designed and built, the Sun Gate was one of the main entrances to the citadel.
“It was also considered at that time as a strategic point to protect the magical Inca citadel. It is one of the most incredible archaeological constructions of the archaeological complex. This usually connects directly with the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Its location makes historians think that the entrance to Machu Picchu was restricted and guarded by the military at that time, making it accessible only to visitors from the Imperial Inca Elite.“
“The Sun Gate in Machu Picchu is an ancient archaeological complex located on the outskirts of the Machu Picchu map. The actual name is Inti Punku and Its name means Sun Gate in the native Quechua language. It was dedicated to the worship of the Sun God or “Inti”. The sun illuminates the door during the winter solstice, giving all who visit the place a wonderful view. The construction is made up of a few walls, doors, windows, and terraces, all made of rustic stone. To get there, the Incas built a series of terraces, stairs, and many other minor buildings. The Sun Gate in Machu Picchu is located at a height of about 2745 meters above sea level. It is about 300 meters higher than where Machu Picchu is located. Being able to see the Inca citadel from Inti Punku is one of the best things to do in Machu Picchu.“
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
In 1911 American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham traveled the region looking for the old Inca capital. On July 24, 1911 Bingham, led to Machu Picchu by a villager, Melchor Arteaga, crossed the Urubamba river on a rickety wood bridge. Bingham found the name Agustín Lizárraga and the date 1902 written in charcoal on one of the walls. Though Bingham was not the first to visit the ruins, he was considered the scientific discoverer who brought Machu Picchu to international attention.
“Humanidad Rinde Homenaje a diestros hijos del inti que edificaron MachuPicchu, monumento esplendoroso sign o de la cultura americacana 1911 – 1986 En el LXXV Aniversario Descubrimiento Cientifico Direccion Departmental de Industria, turismo e integracion del Cusco 24 de Julio de 1986” Translation “Humanity pays tribute to skilled sons of the Inca who built Machu Picchu, splendid monument sign or of American culture 1911 – 1986 In the LXXV Anniversary Scientific Discovery Departmental Directorate of Industry, Tourism and Integration of Cusco July 24, 1986”
“Considerada una obra maestra de ubicacion, planificacion urbana, diseno y construccion de senderos, edificios, andenes y un canal de agua con muchas fuentes, la infraestructura de Machu Picchu ilustra las avances en ingenieria civil, hidraulica y geotecnica de pueble incaico. Sus empinados andenes, solidas paredes de piedra, drenaje superficial y subterraneo, y las tomas de sus manantiales son todos ejemplos excelentes de la ingenieria civil incaica.” Translation “Considered a masterpiece of location, urban planning, design and construction of trails, buildings, platforms and a water channel with many fountains, the infrastructure of Machu Picchu illustrates the advances in civil, hydraulic and geotechnical engineering of Inca village. Its steep platforms, solid stone walls, surface and underground drainage, and intakes of its springs are all excellent examples of Inca civil engineering. September 20, 2006.”
Top: El Cuzco Agradecido a Hiram Bingham Descubridor Cientifico de MachuPicchu en 1911. October 1948 (made by C Ubquizo) Translation (The City of ) Cuzco (is) Grateful to Hiram Bingham Scientific Discoverer of Machu Picchu in 1911. October 1948 Bottom: 1911 2011 El Rotary Club del Cusco En el Centenario del Descubrimiento Cientifico co “AMachuPicchu” Sintesis de la Culture Inca Cusco Julio 2011 Translation: The Rotary Club of Cusco In the Centenary of the Scientific Discovery of “MachuPicchu” Synthesis of the Inca Culture Cusco July 2011.
Credits:
“Machu Picchu” Wikipedia
Translations Spanish are from Google Translate (with my editing).
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 