Human Heritage: A World History

"Machu Picchu"

Introduction
The “Lost City of Machu Picchu” is the most important tourist attraction in Peru and one of the most important in the world. Machu Picchu attracts up to 1,000 visitors per day. Its remote location, in nearly impassable terrain, kept it hidden from the Spanish conquistadors and future inhabitants of Peru until its discovery in 1911. Today”s visitors to Machu Picchu must climb an exhausting high-altitude trail, a climb that takes an average of four days. At the Machu Picchu Web site you can learn more about the city and its ancient inhabitants.

Destination Title: Machu Picchu

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Directions
Start at the Machu Picchu Web site.

• Browse the site, taking notes as you go. Be sure to click on the hyperlinks for the “Andes Mountains” and an “Incan” ruler by clicking on the highlighted words.
• Use what you learn to answer the following questions.

1			Who is believed to have built Machu Picchu, and what was its purpose?
2			Why did the Inca begin to build large fortresses on top of steep mountains?
3			The existence of Machu Picchu was all but forgotten even before the Spanish conquered the Inca. Why?
4			What was the intihuatana used for?
5			Imagine you have just finished your fourth day of climbing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Write a journal entry about your impressions. What was the climb like? What did you see along the way? What are your thoughts and feelings now that you have arrived at your destination?