Machu Picchu was a challenging site for building a city due to its isolated location, steep terrain, and limited access to water sources. Additionally, its vulnerability to landslides and lack of arable land made it an unfavorable choice for sustaining a large population.
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Machu Picchu, although a remarkable archaeological marvel and UNESCO World Heritage site, presented significant challenges as a location for building a city. The isolated setting, steep terrain, limited access to water sources, vulnerability to landslides, and lack of arable land were reasons why building a city in this region was not an ideal choice.
The isolated location of Machu Picchu in the rugged Andes Mountains made it difficult for the inhabitants to establish connections with other communities. The city was situated on a mountaintop, surrounded by imposing peaks, deep valleys, and dense forests. Its remote location limited contact with neighboring settlements and made transportation of goods and resources arduous.
The terrain in Machu Picchu was characterized by steep slopes, making it challenging to construct buildings and infrastructure. The site’s steep inclines required impressive engineering and construction techniques to create stable foundations for structures. The difficult terrain also made it hard for the inhabitants to move within the city, navigate the landscape, and transport goods throughout the area.
Access to water sources was another major concern for building a city in Machu Picchu. While the city was located near the Urubamba River, its steep cliffs made it problematic to access water directly. The inhabitants had to construct an intricate system of terraces, aqueducts, and channels to bring water from the river to the city, ensuring a reliable supply for daily activities and agriculture. However, this system required continuous maintenance and was prone to failure in the event of natural disasters or infrastructure damage.
The vulnerability to landslides posed a constant threat to the city. Located in a region with high rainfall and frequent earthquakes, Machu Picchu was at risk of landslides and erosion. Steep slopes surrounding the city were susceptible to landslides triggered by heavy rain or seismic activity, which could cause significant damage to buildings, infrastructure, and threaten the safety of inhabitants.
Furthermore, the limited availability of arable land hindered the sustainable growth of a large population in Machu Picchu. The mountainous terrain made it challenging to cultivate crops on a large scale, forcing the inhabitants to rely on terraced fields that were labor-intensive and limited in size. The scarcity of arable land restricted the capacity of the city to support a substantial population.
In exploring the significance of Machu Picchu, anthropologist John Rowe once said, “It is the perfect example of natural and cultural resources merging together.” This quote emphasizes the intricate integration of the environment and human achievement in Machu Picchu’s history, while highlighting the challenges imposed by the natural landscape on building and sustaining a city.
Interesting facts regarding Machu Picchu:
- Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, and archaeologist.
- The city was built during the height of the Inca Empire, around the 15th century.
- The construction of Machu Picchu utilized incredible precision in fitting large stones together without the use of mortar.
- The city was likely inhabited for a relatively short period, estimated to be around 80 years, before being abandoned and lost to the outside world.
- Machu Picchu is divided into two main areas: the agricultural zone and the urban zone, comprising temples, residences, and ceremonial spaces.
- The purpose of Machu Picchu remains a subject of debate among archaeologists, with theories ranging from it being a royal estate to a spiritual and religious retreat.
Table:
Reasons why Machu Picchu was a challenging spot to build a city:
- Isolated location
- Steep terrain
- Limited access to water sources
- Vulnerability to landslides
- Lack of arable land
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Machu Picchu is a fascinating archeological site located in Peru. The site was built around the mid 15th century and appears to align with astronomical events. Despite being known by local communities, the site was not discovered by outsiders until the early 20th century.
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Herein, Why was Machu Picchu considered a lost city?
Machu Picchu was a city of the Inca Empire. It is sometimes called the "lost city" because the Spanish never discovered the city when they conquered the Inca in the 1500s. Today the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Herein, Why was Machu Picchu built on a fault line? As a response to this: Besides allowing the Inca to more easily find and fit stones together without mortar, the faults provided other advantages. The fault lines running through the site probably directed melting snow and rainwater to the high-altitude outpost providing water.
What were likely problems building Machu Picchu? Response to this: The Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru is known for its marvelous stonework. But several structures at the site suffered through at least two earthquakes as they were being built, a new study suggests. Those temblors not only damaged walls, but also triggered a sudden change in construction techniques.
Also to know is, What was unusual about Inca construction in cities like Machu Picchu? Answer will be: Built without the use of wheels, hundreds of men pushed the heavy rocks up the steep mountain side. Structures at Machu Picchu were built with a technique called “ldquo ashlar.” Stones are cut to fit together without mortar.
Also, Why was Machu Picchu built? Response to this: Research conducted by John Rowe, Richard Burger, and Lucy Salazar-Burger indicates that rather than being a defensive stronghold, Machu Picchu was a retreat built by and for the Inca ruler Pachacuti. Burger has suggested it was built for elites wanting to escape the noise and congestion of the city.
Beside this, Is Machu Picchu a good place to live? Response will be: First of all, Machu Picchu is one of three sacred peaks to the Inca, so for an emperor like Pachacutéc there could be no better place to establish his residence. Second, while Machu Picchu stands on top of a peak, it sits much lower than the nearest city of Cuzco, making it warmer than nearby towns.
In this way, Was Machu Picchu a lost city? (Read about the 1911 rediscovery of Machu Picchu .) Bingham later modified that theory and suggested the site was also the legendary "lost city" of Vilcabamba la Vieja, where the last of the independent Inca rulers waged a lengthy battle against Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
Why does Machu Picchu have a sun? Response to this: Reinhard also pointed out that the rising and setting of the sun, when viewed from specific locations within Machu Picchu, aligns neatly with religiously significant mountains during the solstices and equinoxes. The Inca believed the sun to be their divine ancestor.
Why was Machu Picchu built?
As a response to this: Research conducted by John Rowe, Richard Burger, and Lucy Salazar-Burger indicates that rather than being a defensive stronghold, Machu Picchu was a retreat built by and for the Inca ruler Pachacuti. Burger has suggested it was built for elites wanting to escape the noise and congestion of the city.
Additionally, What threats does Machu Picchu face? The reply will be: Machu Picchu faces a variety of threats: excessive tourism, which is especially hard on the fragile site; the generation of solid waste; unsustainable agriculture practices; overgrazing and forest fires; aggravating erosion; landslides; mineral extraction; and the introduction of exotic plants.
Regarding this, Why did the Incas leave Machu Picchu? Answer will be: The inaccessibility of Machu Picchu makes for a natural hide out to protect the Sapa Inca and his family from invaders. To protect the city the Incas built a 6 meter tall by 1.8 meter wide wall that surrounded the city. The city was inhabited for just over one hundred years and no one knows for sure why the Incas abandoned such a magnificent city.
Was Machu Picchu a lost city?
The answer is: (Read about the 1911 rediscovery of Machu Picchu .) Bingham later modified that theory and suggested the site was also the legendary "lost city" of Vilcabamba la Vieja, where the last of the independent Inca rulers waged a lengthy battle against Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.