페루 . 사라진 ' 잉카 ' 의 도시 " 마 츄 피 츄 ( Machu Picchu ) " Early morning in wonderful Machu Picchu , a pre - Columbian 15 th - century Inca site located 2 , 430 meters ( 7 , 970 ft ) above sea level . Most archaeologists think Machu Picchu was built around AD 1400 as “ an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti ” and is often referred to as the “ Lost City of the Incas . ” It is probably the most familiar icon of the Inca World . Around the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1572 , the Incas abandoned their empire and the Peruvian jungle swallowed Machu Picchu . It wasn ’ t rediscovered until 1911 by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham . There are about 140 structures or features , ranging from temples , to sanctuaries , parks , and residences , with more than 100 flights of stone steps carved from a single block of granite . Photo # 1 by Pedro SzekelyMachu Picchu ’ s sunset panorama . Like many explorers , Bingham wasn ’ t sure what he had discovered . He wrote about stumbling upon Machu Picchu in a 1913 Harper ’ s Monthly article , “ Suddenly we found ourselves in the midst of a jungle - covered maze of small and large walls , the ruins of buildings made of blocks of white granite , most carefully cut and beautifully fitted together without cement . Surprise followed surprise until we came to the realization that we were in the midst of as wonderful ruins as any ever found in Peru . ” Bingham added , “ Yet so far as I have been able to discover , there is no reference in the Spanish chronicles to Machu Picchu . It is possible that not even the conquistadors ever saw this wonderful place . ” Photo # 2 by Martin St - AmantMeet Hiram Bingham III , aka Indiana Jones . See the resemblance ? The year is 1911 as Bingham is standing atop ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru . This photo came from a hand - colored glass slide taken by Harry Ward Foote . Professor Foote was a Yale Ph . D . who served as the expedition collector and naturalist on Bingham ’ s expeditions to Peru . Photo # 3 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images DatabaseThe Inca Bridge , near Machu Picchu . Photo # 4 by Martin St - AmantA few ruined buildings and structural terraces remain on Wayna Picchu , the summit often seen behind Machu Picchu . Photo # 5 by Sascha WenningerWayna Picchu viewed from Machu Picchu ’ s access gate . The Incas were masters of the ashlar technique of building . They cut blocks of stone that fit together tightly without using mortar . Many junctions in the central city are so perfectly cut and constructed that not even a blade of grass fits between the stones . By not using mortar , the buildings are able to withstand earthquakes . Photo # 6 by Martin St - AmantRainbow over the Andes and Machu Picchu . Photo # 7 by Thomas QuineAn odd photo to be sure , but the photographer explained . “ This skull was deformed by binding wood to the skull of a new born baby , a common Inca practice . Yucay valley , Peru . There have been movies and TV specials that have suggested it was an alien skull … . LOL . ” Photo # 8 by Dennis JarvisTourists on Incan terraces . The ruins of Machu Picchu are divided into two main sections , Urban and Agricultural Sectors which are divided by a wall . The Agricultural Sector is further subdivided into Upper and Lower sectors , while the Urban Sector is split into East and West sectors , and further separated by a wide plaza . Photo # 9 by Samuel RenardThe photographer wrote , “ We were there measuring astronomical alignments during sunrise on the solstice . It was every bit as awesome as it sounds , and considerably awesomer than this photo conveys . ” Photo # 10 by dann toliverTemple of the Moon on Huayna Picchu , near Machu Picchu . Photo # 11 by Martin St - AmantMachu Picchu is surrounded by these beautiful pink orchids . Photo # 12 by Matt RiggottLlactapata , a ruined settlement along the Inca trail in Peru . Photo # 13 by BcasterlineA llama sits atop one of the terraces of Machu Picchu , Peru , admiring the view . Photo # 14 by Roger NelsonA Mountain Caracara taking off from a wall at the Lost City of the Incas . Photo # 15 by Ville MiettinenThe photographer noted , “ This is from the paths through the small patch of cloud forest behind the lodge we stayed at near the base of Machu Picchu . All of the Inkaterra lodges we stayed at were very well integrated with their native environments , and this was not exception . Not shown : the dozens of hummingbirds and dozens more orchid species thriving on their grounds . ” Photo # 16 by icelightChoquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu in Peru . Photo # 17 by Rick McCharlesThis llama seems to be posing for a picture . Photo # 18 by Robert LunaTemple of the Sun . According to archaeologists ( and Wikipedia ) , the urban sector of Machu Picchu was divided into three great districts : the Sacred District , the Popular District to the south , and the District of the Priests and the Nobility . Located in the first zone are the primary archaeological treasures : the Intihuatana , the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows . These were dedicated to Inti , their sun god and greatest deity . Photo # 19 by Fabricio Guzm ¡ nTerraces , tourists and a llama . Photo # 20 by Martin St - AmantThe photographer wrote , “ Our guide to Machu Picchu demonstrates what are believed to be stocks to constrain prisoners . ” Photo # 21 by Dan LundbergThese stairs lead to the “ Popular District ” which is also called the “ Residential District . ” It was where the lower - class people lived . It includes storage buildings and simple houses . There is also a royalty area which was meant for the nobility ; that group of houses are located in rows over a slope . Houses for the Amautas ( wise persons ) was characterized by its reddish walls , while the zone of the ‘ ustas ( princesses ) had trapezoid - shaped rooms . Photo # 22 by Roger Nelson 1911 Bingham expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru , taken from a series of hand - colored glass slides . At top left is the explorers and crew on the road along the Urubamba River . The top right and lower left are of the expedition crew trekking through the overgrown jungles of Peru . on the lower right is a photo of the ruins before clearing away the vegetation as Bingham first encountered Machu Picchu . Photos in # 23 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images DatabaseDo ghosts of Incas roam in the foggy ruins ? Photo # 24 by ckmckThe interior of a partially restored Inca building that features trapezoidal windows . The Inca designed walls to help protect them against damage and from collapsing in an earthquake . Doors and windows have this trapezoidal design and and tilt inward from bottom to top . The corners are usually rounded , while inside corners often incline slightly into the rooms . “ L ” - shaped blocks were used to tie outside corners of the structure together . These walls do not rise straight from bottom to top , but are offset slightly from row to row . Photo # 25 by Martin St - AmantThis is by far the most popular of the Inca trails for trekking . It ’ s called the Capaq Nan trail , which leads from the city of Cusco to the so - called “ Lost City of the Incas . ” Bingham remarked on the fact that Machu Picchu is only a 5 day hike from Cusco . You can still make that trip if you are daring and willing to hike . You should be in good shape to take the Incan Trail and plan on 3 6 days for your journey . Photo # 26 by PajaroFrom Yale Peruvian Expedition these glass slides represent ( from left to right ) : Indigenous Peruvians , Bingham atop ruins after clearing the overgrowth at Machu Picchu , Harry Ward Foote who accompanied Hiram Bingham and acted as photographer for expedition , Indians and lamas in front of ruins , Transport for the expedition crew crossing a river on downed trees while carrying packs . Photos in # 27 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images DatabaseThe photographer pointed out , “ For all the attention paid to the awesome construction of the city itself , not enough credit is given to the amount of work it took just to insure Machu Picchu didn ’ t instantly slide off of its precarious perch . This system of terraces serve as reinforcement , holding the bulk of the city thousands of feet above the valley floor . Dramatically they appear to suddenly end , the depths leaving the viewer unsupported high above the steep Andean cliffs . ” Photo # 28 by icelight A man in 1911 sitting on Incan ruins in Peru . Photo # 29 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images DatabaseApparently all creatures enjoy the views . Photo # 30 by MarroviSmall water canal sweeping through the ruins . The 140 structures were interconnected by channels ; water - drains perforated in the rock were designed for the original irrigation system . Evidence implies that the irrigation system was used to carry water from a holy spring to each of the houses . The Inca Empire was amazing . Photo # 31 by Martin St - AmantThe photographer wrote , “ Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 , this outstanding Sanctuary rises above 2400 meters sea level . Also known as The Lost City of the Incas , Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the most important and visited destinations in South America . ” Photo # 32 by Danielle PereiraView of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu , showing the Hiram Bingham Highway used by tour buses to and from the town of Aguas Calientes . Photo # 33 by Martin St - AmantRuins in the Lost City . The photographer remarked , “ Machu Picchu is a pre - Columbian 15 th - century Inca site located 2430 metres ( 7970 ft ) above sea level . ” Photo # 34 by nwhitford According to the photographer , “ Making your way down from the impressive Inca ruins of Phuyu Pata Marca is hard on the knees , but the sight of an impressive rainbow over the mountains is a welcome distraction . Inca Trail , near Huinay Huayna , Peru . ” Photo # 35 by Jayegirl 99 Panorama of the ruins taken on a cloudy day . Mornings are often foggy as the Lost City is surrounded by a cloud - forest high in the Andes Mountains . Photo # 36 by Martin St - AmantMachu Picchu is situated above a loop of the Urubamba River , which surrounds the site on three sides , with cliffs dropping vertically for 450 metres ( 1 , 480 ft ) to the river at their base . Photo # 37 by Alexson Scheppa PeisinoAfter “ discovering ” the ruins , Bingham believed the complex was the traditional birthplace of the Incan “ Virgins of the Suns ” which was an elite group who took a vow of chastity . Their high priestess was of noble blood . But after human remains were found at Machu Picchu that proved not all the people were women , the “ Virgins of the Suns ” theory was disproved . Photo # 38 by refractorThe old mountain , Machu Picchu , as seen from the young mountain , Huayna Picchu . Photo # 39 by Hkan SvenssonThe photographer said this was where they crossed the Apurimac River , located at 1750 meters ( over 5 , 741 feet ) above sea level . According to the legend , the name Apurimac means ‘ talking river ’ because during rainy seasons , “ a great amout of water drags the rocks which hit one another and produce a sound pretty much alike a human conversation . ” Photo # 40 by Danielle PereiraPanoramic photograph of the residential section . Photo # 41 by Martin St - AmantThe Urubamba river seen from 600 meters ( over 1 , 968 feet ) above . Photo # 42 by Hkan SvenssonMachu Picchu in the clouds . Photo # 43 by GothamNurseMachu Picchu from the top of Wayna Picchu . Photo # 44 by ColegotaThe two photos of Incan ruins at Machu Picchu were taken in 1911 . on the right is Hiram Bingham III at his tent door near near the ruins a year later in 1912 . Photos in # 45 by Harry Ward Foote via Yale University Manuscripts & Archives Digital Images DatabaseThis is the ruins of Machu Picchu as they are now , 100 years after Bingham rediscovered the ‘ Lost City of the Incas . ’ Photo # 46 by Dennis Jarvis Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu : 100 Years after Discovery by ‘ Indiana Jones ’ Peru is celebrating 100 years since the rediscovery of Machu Picchu by Yale professor Hiram Bingham III . on July 24 , 1911 , the American , who some believe was later the “ model ” for Indiana Jones , stumbled upon jungle - and - vine - coated ruins during an expedition to find an ancient Inca Empire in the Andes mountains . Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 . In 2007 , it was crowned as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World via a worldwide Internet