Page 6 - Machu Picchu

STORY BEHIND

THE MACHU PICCHU

Machu Picchu mysteries, it holds many questions despite being one of the most important Inca mon-
uments there are many questions that will probably never achieve answered. Why was it built? What
was its purpose? When was it built? Why was abandoned? Why the Spanish conquistadors never knew
anything about Machu Picchu?

In a way, given its strategic location, it could have been a military, a defense position to control po-
tential rebellions. It is also believed that it was the ideal resting place of the Inca, the largest shrine
dedicated to Pachacutec, who saved Cuzco from the invasion Chanca. And even could have been a
graveyard of women, real virgin, dedicated to deities and the service of the Incas.

Machu Picchu may have been too Vitcos fortress, guarded by Vilcabamba, due to similarities between
Quechua words Vitcus and Picchu. Other historians believe that Machu Picchu may have been Tam-
putoco, the legendary birthplace of the Inca elite. Moreover, given the number of graves of women
found it was thought that that it was a cemetery of women who used to hide to perpetuate the old
traditions and rituals.

Generally, all historians agree when said that Machu Picchu was used as housing for the Inca aristoc-
racy after the Spanish conquest of in 1532. It was an important agricultural center, away from the main
roads. Still, Machu Picchu remains the great unknown, reason why was not destroyed by the ancient
conquerors.

After Tupac Amaru, the last rebel Inca, was captured, Machu Picchu was abandoned as there was no
reason to stay there. But for now, there is nothing certain about its purposes. No sixteenth century
chroniclers mention that. Since it was unveiled, Machu Picchu has remained a mysterious archaeolog-
ical monument.

MACHU PICCHU | 6
ISSUU 08 / SEPT 2016 / 6