The Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu a Wonders of the World book by Jennifer Silate, Kidhaven Press, Thomson Gale, Detroit, 2006.
In 1911 Hiram Bingham came to Peru looking for an ancient Incan city, Vilcabamba. He followed the old Incan road north of Cuzco. eventually a local told him of, and guided him to ruins on top of a mountain above the Urubamba River. This turned out to. by Machu Picchu, not the ancient city he was looking for, but it was an impressive site. He found intricately carved steps, walls tightly carved and jigsawed together. There tamples. The ruins contained intricate canals, and a system of agricultural terraces for capturing moisture and raising crops. The ruins also contain sixteen fountains.
The question came up, What is the purpose for the buildings? Most studies point to Machu Picchu being a retreat for affluent Inca. This is derived from the burial sits discovered. Court documents indicate that the estate of Pachacuti petitioned for the return of his retreat. It was identified as Picchu. The beauty of Machu Picchu appears to be a tribute to Pichacuti who had it built as a retreat. The ruins also appear to contain a private temple.
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