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Machu Picchu: The History and Mystery of the Incan City
*Includes pictures of Machu Picchu and other important people and places.
*Explains the history of the site and the theories about its purpose and abandonment.
*Describes the layout of Machu Picchu, its important structures, and the theories about the buildings' uses.
In 1911, American historian Hiram Bingham publicized the finding of what at the time was considered a "lost city" of the Inca. Though local inhabitants had known about it for century, Bingham documented and photographed the ruins of a 15th century settlement nestled along a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, placed so perfectly from a defensive standpoint that it's believed the Spanish never conquered it and may have never known about it.
Today, of course, Machu Picchu is one of South America's best tourist spots, and the ruins have even been voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. But even though Machu Picchu is now the best known of all Incan ruins, its function in Incan civilization is still not clear. Some have speculated that it was an outpost or a frontier citadel, while others believe it to be a sanctuary or a work center for women. Still others suggest that it was a ceremonial center or perhaps even the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest. One of the most theories to take hold is that Machu Picchu was the summer dwelling of the Inca's royal court, the Inca's version of Versailles. As was the case with the renaming of Mayan and Aztec ruins, the names given to various structures by archaeologists are purely imaginary and thus not very helpful; for example, the mausoleum, palace or watchtower at Machu Picchu may have been nothing of the sort.
What is clear at Machu Picchu is that the urban plan and the building techniques employed followed those at other Incan settlements, particularly the capital of Cuzco. The location of plazas and the clever use of the irregularities of the land, along with the highly developed aesthetic involved in masonry work, followed the model of the Inca capital. At Machu Picchu, the typical Incan technique of meticulously assembling ashlar masonry and creating walls of blocks without a binding material is astounding. The blocks are sometimes evenly squared and sometimes are of varying shape. In the latter case, the very tight connection between the blocks of stone seems quite remarkable. Even more astounding than the precise stone cutting of the Incas is the method that they used for the transportation and movement on site of these enormous blocks. The Incas did not have the wheel, so all the work was accomplished using rollers and levers.
Machu Picchu: The History and Mystery of the Incan City comprehensively covers the history of the city, as well as the speculation surrounding the purpose of Machu Picchu and the debate over the buildings. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Machu Picchu like you never have before, in no time at all.
*Explains the history of the site and the theories about its purpose and abandonment.
*Describes the layout of Machu Picchu, its important structures, and the theories about the buildings' uses.
In 1911, American historian Hiram Bingham publicized the finding of what at the time was considered a "lost city" of the Inca. Though local inhabitants had known about it for century, Bingham documented and photographed the ruins of a 15th century settlement nestled along a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, placed so perfectly from a defensive standpoint that it's believed the Spanish never conquered it and may have never known about it.
Today, of course, Machu Picchu is one of South America's best tourist spots, and the ruins have even been voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. But even though Machu Picchu is now the best known of all Incan ruins, its function in Incan civilization is still not clear. Some have speculated that it was an outpost or a frontier citadel, while others believe it to be a sanctuary or a work center for women. Still others suggest that it was a ceremonial center or perhaps even the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest. One of the most theories to take hold is that Machu Picchu was the summer dwelling of the Inca's royal court, the Inca's version of Versailles. As was the case with the renaming of Mayan and Aztec ruins, the names given to various structures by archaeologists are purely imaginary and thus not very helpful; for example, the mausoleum, palace or watchtower at Machu Picchu may have been nothing of the sort.
What is clear at Machu Picchu is that the urban plan and the building techniques employed followed those at other Incan settlements, particularly the capital of Cuzco. The location of plazas and the clever use of the irregularities of the land, along with the highly developed aesthetic involved in masonry work, followed the model of the Inca capital. At Machu Picchu, the typical Incan technique of meticulously assembling ashlar masonry and creating walls of blocks without a binding material is astounding. The blocks are sometimes evenly squared and sometimes are of varying shape. In the latter case, the very tight connection between the blocks of stone seems quite remarkable. Even more astounding than the precise stone cutting of the Incas is the method that they used for the transportation and movement on site of these enormous blocks. The Incas did not have the wheel, so all the work was accomplished using rollers and levers.
Machu Picchu: The History and Mystery of the Incan City comprehensively covers the history of the city, as well as the speculation surrounding the purpose of Machu Picchu and the debate over the buildings. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Machu Picchu like you never have before, in no time at all.
- GenresTravelHistoryNonfiction
52 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2013
112 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 2, 2014
Yesterday, I ended up watching a Nova program about Machu Picchu and that sparked my interest. When I saw this free on Kindle Unlimited, I thought, "Sure, why not?"
Overall, it's not a bad book. It's a little dry at times and a bit like reading a college term paper but it's relatively short and had information that I didn't learn from the Nova show. It does, however, need a gentle editorial clean up (ironic since the book states that the Charles River Editors was founded to "provide superior editing and original writing services"). There are just too many repetitive spots. Usually it is simple - like stating that an explorer was born in Honolulu then, in the next sentence, saying again he was born in Honolulu - but there was at least one spot where a long sentence was repeated verbatim two pages later. Things like that as well as the mild choppiness in transition and glossing over of larger topics are what made it read like a college paper to me. (Of course, you can't really blame them for glossing over some things - the book is only 42 pages long. I'm sure an in-depth study of these glossed over topics would have greatly multiplied the pages needed.)
Moderately good as a free read though.
Overall, it's not a bad book. It's a little dry at times and a bit like reading a college term paper but it's relatively short and had information that I didn't learn from the Nova show. It does, however, need a gentle editorial clean up (ironic since the book states that the Charles River Editors was founded to "provide superior editing and original writing services"). There are just too many repetitive spots. Usually it is simple - like stating that an explorer was born in Honolulu then, in the next sentence, saying again he was born in Honolulu - but there was at least one spot where a long sentence was repeated verbatim two pages later. Things like that as well as the mild choppiness in transition and glossing over of larger topics are what made it read like a college paper to me. (Of course, you can't really blame them for glossing over some things - the book is only 42 pages long. I'm sure an in-depth study of these glossed over topics would have greatly multiplied the pages needed.)
Moderately good as a free read though.
May 24, 2015
This book was pretty lame. I got it for my trip to Machu Picchu, but it just gave a few facts that I could have gotten from the Internet just as easily. Also, it duplicated information word-for-word from a companion book ''The Mythology and Religion of the Inca'' which I thought was kind of a joke when I read about their Charles River Editors publishing company and ''the superior editing'' that they provided.
April 21, 2016
Machi Picchu: The History and Mystery of the Incan City
Es un libro que de manera directa, interesante, y ajustándose a la verdad de la historia describe la belleza de Machu Picchu para gozo de quienes ya la visitamos y para aquellos que aún no lo han hecho, podrán recrearse con los ojos de un experto.
Es un libro que de manera directa, interesante, y ajustándose a la verdad de la historia describe la belleza de Machu Picchu para gozo de quienes ya la visitamos y para aquellos que aún no lo han hecho, podrán recrearse con los ojos de un experto.
July 4, 2013
I just love these "quick" history books. Lots of great info in a short read. Thank you Charles River Editors!
August 3, 2016
Small but concise book on Machu Picchu. Would have liked to see more maps and explanations for the structure as it now stands.
April 16, 2015
Good but too short!
Good book! Not as in depth as I would've liked! I wish it would have covered more of the discovery by Bingham.
Good book! Not as in depth as I would've liked! I wish it would have covered more of the discovery by Bingham.
December 9, 2016
Lots of information on the inca civilization and the famous site. All crammed into a brief book. Perfect.
April 7, 2016
Manchu Picchu
An interestingly written history and mystery. This historical site has been fascinating subject for many people and here is an absorbing account, interestingly told.
An interestingly written history and mystery. This historical site has been fascinating subject for many people and here is an absorbing account, interestingly told.
August 16, 2017
Great historical background for our upcoming trip to Peru and Machu Picchu!
September 1, 2017
Decent enough introduction to the site but not particularly in-depth. Needs some editing clean-up, too many grammar and punctuation mistakes.
March 7, 2018
Interesting book but far to short for my liking.
May 9, 2023
A quick fact filled read about the ever intriguing Machu Picchu...lots of pictures.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews