- [Narrator] The stone city of Machu Picchu
is one of the most fascinating archeological sites
on the planet.
Located northwest of Cuso, Peru, Machu Picchu
is a testament to the power
and ingenuity of the Inca people.
During its prime, the Inca civilization stretched
about 2500 miles along South America's Pacific Coastline.
From modern day Ecuador down into Chile.
This distance is nearly the horizontal width
of the continental United States.
Machu Picchu located at the center of this once expansive
empire is one of the few well-preserved remnants
of the Inca civilization.
Built around the mid 15th century,
Machu Picchu is a stunning example
of the Inca's engineering feats.
The Inca constructed Machu Picchu's palaces, temples,
terraces, and infrastructure using stone
and without the help of wheels or tools
made of steel or iron.
One particularly notable aspect of their construction
is foregoing the use of mortar, a material often used
to bind stones together.
Nonetheless, the stones of Machu Picchu
were cut so precisely that they snugly fit together.
Located on two fault lines Machu Picchu
often experiences earthquakes
but because of the stones' exceptional cut and fit,
they bounce during tremors and then are able
to easily fall back into position.
These engineering marvels have preserved Machu Picchu's
remarkable condition for over 500 years.
Machu Picchu's purpose is still a mystery
to many archeologists.
Some theorize that it may have served as a ceremonial site,
a military stronghold, or a retreat for nobility.
The site's geographic layout may be significant
in another way.
Many of both the manmade and natural structures appear
to align with astronomical events.
But in the early 16th century,
only about 100 years after it was built,
Machu Picchu was abandoned.
And since the Inca had no written language,
no records exist to explain the exact purpose of the site.
Although local communities knew about Machu Picchu,
the site remained largely unknown to the outside world
for hundreds of years.
Spanish conquistadors who invaded the Inca civilization
in the 16th century never came across the site.
It wasn't until the early 20th century when Melchor Arteaga,
a local farmer debuted Machu Picchu to outsiders when he led
Yale University professor Hiram Bingham to the site.
Bingham and successive explorers devoted much of their
academic careers to studying the archeological wonder.
Despite its enigmatic nature, Machu Picchu still stands
as one of the world's most important archeological sites.
It is a testament to the power and ingenuity
of one of the largest empires in the Americas.
In 1983, UNESCO designated Machu Picchu
as a world heritage site and today visitors
from around the world come to pay homage
to this piece of history.