Machu Picchu: Exploring an Ancient Sacred Center

by Johan Reinhard

Machu Picchu, recently voted one of the New Wonders of the World, is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, yet it remains a mystery. Even the most basic questions are still What was its meaning and why was it built in such a difficult location? Renowned explorer Johan Reinhard attempts to answer such elusive questions from the perspectives of sacred landscape and archaeoastronomy. Using information gathered from historical, archaeological, and ethnographical sources, Reinhard demonstrates how the site is situated in the center of sacred mountains and associated with a sacred river, which is in turn symbolically linked with the sun's passage. Taken together, these features meant that Machu Picchu formed a cosmological, hydrological, and sacred geological center for a vast region.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Travel

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2007

About the author

Johan Reinhard received his Ph.D in anthropology from the University of Vienna, and has conducted anthropological research in the Andes for more than 20 years.

In addition to being a National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence, he is the author of over seventy publications and is a member of several organizations, including the American Anthropological Association, the Society for American Archaeology, the Explorers Club, the Institute of Andean Studies, and the Royal Geographical Society. Three museums have been built to exhibit the archeological finds made during his expeditions: the Museo Santuarios Andinos (Museum of Andean Sanctuaries) in Arequipa (Peru); the Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana (MAAM) (Museum of High Mountain Archaeology) in Salta (Argentina); and a site museum in the village of Challapampa, Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca (Bolivia). He has received several awards for his research in the Andes, including the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 1987, the Puma de Oro (Bolivia's highest award in the field of archaeology) in 1992, the Gold Medal of the city of Arequipa in 1996, and the Explorers Medal of the Explorers Club in 2002. In 2000 he was selected by Outside magazine as one of “today’s 25 most extraordinary explorers,” and in 2001 the Ford Motor Company chose him as one of twelve "Heroes for the Planet." His latest books include "The Ice Maiden: Inca Mummies, Mountain Gods, and Sacred Sites in the Andes" (2005), "Machu Picchu: Exploring an Ancient Sacred Center" (2007), and "Inca Rituals and Sacred Mountains: A Study of the World's Highest Archaeological Sites" (with Constanza Ceruti) (2010).

Reviews

[Molly Trammell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a succinct, informative, well-written look into the importance of sacred geography within Incan culture. It describes the sacred geography around and associated with Machu Picchu and explains how and why this geography may have contributed (or even caused) the construction of Machu Picchu as a sacred site. This book is scholarly and well-researched (research done largely firsthand by the author through his own excavation and archaeological work) - indeed it reads like an entertaining scholarly journal article. It isn’t “pseudo-science” and it presents a plausible theory about the origin and importance of Machu Picchu and indeed the entire Inca Trail. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Machu Picchu and in Incan history.

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, highly accessible book to read prior to hiking the Inca Trail. Johan Reinhard has an academic background, but knows how to write for a lay audience about the possible spiritual/religious purposes for the construction of Machu Picchu. The excellent maps, photographs, and particularly drawings explaining each of the various ruins along the Inca Trail and the situation of Machu Picchu from various perspectives were all incredibly helpful. I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for reading material to help them understand what they're about to see when hiking the Inca Trail.

[Brian Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeper dive into the Inca and their culture. It was fascinating to read about the alignments that exist at Machu Picchu of both heaven (the Milky Way and star constellations) and earth (nearby mountain tops, rivers, etc). The author also tells about the area around Machu Picchu and how they all fit into Inca culture. Also provided is a discussion of Inca architecture and landscapes. A must read.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible guidebook-like text exploring Machu Picchu and surrounding areas from a sacred geometry viewpoint.

[Jodi]

This book was very informative and reminded me of when I wrote my dissertation in college. I loved all of the beautiful photographs and cannot wait for my trip there in a few weeks.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read that constitutes a great "homework" before visiting Machu Picchu. Without being just a travel guide, Johan Reinhard has converted a scientific textbook to an easily read popular science book (while keeping strict citation intact in case one would like to dig more into the subject). Reinhard is considered an expert on high-altitude archaelogy and landscape archaeology with a lot of achievements. Starting by an excellent background setting of the Inca civilization and their ceremonial and religious traditions, Reinhard manages to gradually make the reader understand the (dominant theory of the) purpose of building Machu Picchu. The complete range of information is provided without becoming tiring or boring, while it includes some of the most magnificent and dramatic images of Incan sites and the Andean mountains I have ever seen.

Bottomline: An excellent read that provides a lot of insight on the Incan civilization. Can (should) be read even if you never plan to visit the ruins (although after reading the book you may want to).

[hh · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of an erudite travel book. great photos and solid references, highly readable. bibliography will be very useful for me.