Archaeological Finds of Machu Picchu - Essay Example

Ameet khabra 100196334 Anth 1300 – archaeology Machu Picchu has been termed a lost since being discovered in 1911, but in reality it was onlya royal citadel. According to MacQuarrie (2008) the Inca citadel contained around one hundred buildings (431). This abandoned citadel has been a great archaeology mystery. The when and why Machu Picchu was abandoned has been questioned by many. Burger and Salazar (2005) report “Machu Picchu was abandoned around AD 1532, many aspects of the Inca culture and society survived” (191). If the Incas survived, why was Machu Picchu abandoned? Since the Incas did not have a written account, speculation and relying on the archaeological finds have been the answer. The white conquers spreading of disease and war is thought to have driven the royal family and servants from Machu Picchu. This is a fascinating subject that can be researched with pleasure. Machu Picchu is an abandoned Inca site. Although it is thought that Hiram Bingham (2004) “discovered” the city, a few others had been there before (219). MacQuarrie (2008) reports Bingham found the engravings of “M. Eugene de Sartiges, 1834”, “Jose Maria Tejada, Marcelino Leon, 1834”, “Jose Benigo Samnez, Juan Manual Rivas Plata, Mariana Cisneros, 1861”, and “Pio Mogrovejo, July 4, 1885” (384). Bingham was the first to bring attention to the city. Machu Picchu is located between the ridges of Machu Picchu (hence the name) and Pisac in the South American country, Peru according to D’Altroy (2003:127). The find of an intact abandoned Inca site was a major discovery for archeology and architectural studies. Machu Picchu allowed for the study of the Inca way of life and architectural ways. Bingham according to Burger and Salazar (2008) removed artifacts from the site to examine at Yale University (2). Machu Picchu has been explored by many more scientists and tourists since Bingham’s discovery in 1911 of the site D’Altroy (2003) (21). The majestic Inca site has been an uncovered jewel ever since. The Incas were a South American people before the Spanish conquest. D’Altroy (2003) explains Incas did not have a written language, but did have an oral history that has passed traditions down through the generations (121). Without the oral traditions, little or no knowledge might have been known about the Incas. The Spanish records after the Spanish expedition into also provide an insight into the Inca way of life, but only from an invader’s perspective Burger and Salazar 2005:2). Incas did share their oral traditions with the Spanish, but Spanish influence was still apparent in these accountings (D’Altroy 2003:5). Incas were an interesting people, but their destiny was changed through Spanish invasion. The Incas were destroyed by the conquistadors in more ways than one. Inca language, race (most Spaniards took native wives), and land were taken over by the Spaniards. D’Altroy (2003) states the Spanish conquistadors looted and destroyed all known Inca sites (121). This destruction consumed all known Inca sites. Machu Picchu might have been destroyed, but since it was discovered in a remote location the like possibility is the Spanish never discovered the area. Bingham asserts (2004) certainly no references were made in Spanish history was made to the city of Machu Picchu (324). Machu Picchu is on a thin ridge above the dense forest by the Urubamba River (Burger and Salazar 2005:21). The inaccessibility of the site saved it from Spanish destruction. No one really knows why the Incans abandoned the city. However Machu Picchu as Burger and Salazar (2005) reported “was abandoned around AD 1532” (1). It is also unknown why the Incans did not return to Machu Picchu. The reasons the Incans did not return might be the devastation of the smallpox and other European diseases brought by the white men. The Incans probably died before handing down the secrets of Machu Picchu. This part of history remains unknown despite historians’ theories. The date of Machu Picchu’s construction according to Wright (2000) began in 1450 A.D. (1). Also Wright (2000) claims Manchu Picchu burned in 1562 and finally deserted in 1572 (1). The purpose of Machu Picchu according to MacQuarrie (2008) was a royal retreat for Inca ruler Pachacuti (447). The reason that Machu Picchu was abandoned was the collapse of the Incan Empire due to the Spanish conquistadors. As soon as the Spanish landed looting and pillaging, MacQuarrie (2008) speculates the Inca ruler would have gone back to Cuzco with his servants to deal with the problem. Some servants might have remained, but eventually Machu Picchu was abandoned. Machu Picchu is an amazing archeological achievement. Hunt (2007) suggests like other reported Inca sites, the natural location was used for maximum efficiency (90). The mountain was used for the stone used to construct Machu Picchu. Incas used carved stone which was fitted together in order to build their cities (MacQuarrie 2008:442). This same type of smoothed stone was used to form Machu Picchu. The fitted stones allowed for seismic activity, like earthquakes, to shifted the stones and still allow them to stand. MacQuarrie (2008) theorizes the massive size of the stones might explain the immobility of the stones during an earthquake (443). These stones were carved with no gaps in between them. All of Machu Picchu’s quarters, higher class and lower class, the temples, the aqueduct, and all other structures were built with these stones. Judging on the remote location, Machu Picchu’s builders had to use the mountain as a resource for building materials. Thus the stone made out of the mountain was used for convenience. The question becomes how did the Incas carve a whole city out of the granite mountain? Joseph et. al. (2006:59) suggests that the Incas carved stones with heat generated by the sun through metal bracelets or golden bowls. When the sun was caught and a beam released, the Incas could cut through and carve stones. Still placement would still be a problem. The whole city was not carved directly out of the mountain, but of stones cut from the mountain. Some of these stones were according to MacQuarrie (2008) “was sometimes the size of a small car” (442). Wright (2000) explains that the Inca used poles and planes to move rocks from the quarry a half mile away from the center of Machu Picchu (71). Simple physics explains how the Incas used this technique. A plane would allow a rock to slide down hill. Uphill, leavers, poles, and rocks were used to slide the rock up the hill. Wright (2000) states no wheels of any kind or animals were used in the making of Inca structure, Machu Picchu was on exception (68). The pole methods the descendants of the Incans use to this day move all the stones for the Machu Picchu city. Machu Picchu was built to be a royal estate. Wright (2000) reports the royal buildings, wise men/priests housing, and temples were located on the upper area (9). This layout of the city would be logical for a royal estate. The royalty would have access to the temples and priests. The water would also be purer for the royalty. Below would be the servants housing and, as MacQuarrie (2008) states, storage areas (422). The bottom tier would be the terraces. These three areas were mapped out by Bingham (2004) in 1911 (130). The layout of the city would be considered in these areas to this day. Burger and Salazar (2005) explain the stones created a Sun Temple to track the summer and winter solstice (442). Astronomers helped Incan architects create a Sun Temple. MacQuarrie (2008) suggests that this Sun Temple was either for astronomy observation or an elaborate calendar. The Incans would have needed to track time in order to plant successful crops. Incans did not have a calendar to consult in order to plant their crops. Thus a Sun Temple was imperative to have, especially at an Incan ruler’s retreat. Food was grown for Machu Picchu on site (Burger and Salazar 2005:442). The need for a timeline to plant crops would mean life or death for the residents of Machu Picchu. This is only one of the structures found at Machu Picchu. The lower area was reserved for guests and servants. Smaller temples would be placed in this area for these people to worship. Wright (2000) explains walls separated the upper and lower sections (9). The walls would place a barrier, not just a physical barrier, but a mental one as well. The entrance to the city was in this section. A gateway also separated the upper and lower sections (MacQuarrie 2007:89). Large barracks to house the common would also be located in the lower section. A whole royal entourage would be housed in this area. Terraces were constructed on one side of the mountain. Wright (2000) shows a picture of the Eastern side of the mountain where terraces were constructed to create an agricultural area on the steep slope (24). MacQuarrie (2008) reports that fourteen acres were eventually used to plant corn (442). Like the water supply, these terraces were essential to the survival of Machu Picchu. Food would also have been impractical to pack in on foot, especially in the amounts that would be necessary for a whole city. The terraces were created to help the city be self sufficient. It would have also been harder for an enemy to lay siege to Machu Picchu. An important element to the city was the water supply. Wright (2000) reveals that a natural spring fed into an aqua duct provided water to the royal residence, the city’s inhabitants, and the fountains (11). Gravity helped the spring flow down into the city. Water would have been a big consideration, almost as big as the consideration to Sun Temple. Since the area was so remote, it would not have been practical to pack water from the river below. Burger and Salazar (2005) suggest Pachacuti’s royal quarters were equipped with luxuries like baths and the only indoor toilet in the city (32). Another good point in having a self sufficient water supply would be during siege water would not run out. If the natural spring had not been close to Machu Picchu, this city would not have been built as a royal retreat. The Incas used rope and bark bridges that helped them gain access to remote areas like Machu Picchu (Crouch and Johnson 2000:129). These bridges could only be used by foot. The Incans used pathways due to the fact of not using animals to travel or move an object explains Wright (2000) (82). A single pathway on a rope bridge was the access to Machu Picchu. This had a great defense possibility. If under attack, residents of Machu Picchu could roll the bridge up on their side. A rolled up bridge would stop enemies from invading. MacQuarrie (2008) asserts this fact due to the bridge being a ways down from the city on the trail. Simple to make out of jungle vine and bark planks, these bridges were used by the Incans frequently. Another important aspect of this city was the stairs. Wright (2000) mentions the necessity of granite steps carved into the mountains (14). These steps connected the entire city. Instead of walking up steep slopes, stairs would help the residents go up and down without the chance of slipping on a wet or steep slope. The Incan steps at Machu Picchu are similar to other steps created in South American during this time. Bingham (2004) reports that stairs were used to travel up and down the mountain, but also as temple decorations as well (104). The Native South American use of stairs in decoration was apparent at Machu Picchu. Although Hiram Bingham was considered the discoverer of Machu Picchu and contributed to the understanding of the city, he also perpetrated false theories and took artifacts away from the city. MacQuarrie (2007) suggests Bingham was deceptive about the help he received from Peruvian locals in discovering Machu Picchu. Several Peruvians living near the area pointed Bingham in the right direction, including a guide that led him directly to the site. Bingham wanted to be famous for finding the “Incan Lost City” (MacQuarrie 2007:452). Bingham according to MacQuarrie (2007) thought that Machu Picchu was the home of an Incan cult, the Virgins of the Suns, despite evidence to the contrary (411). Bingham had the research and evidence about Machu Picchu being a royal residence, he decided to dismiss this evidence in favor of his own theory.Despite all of these faults, history still sees Bingham famous for the discovery of Machu Picchu. Another issue concerning Bingham was he also brought artifacts back to Yale University. These artifacts became a controversy after the Peruvian government demanded their return. Hunt (2007) reports that many of the artifacts, like ceramic pots, were not even on display or being examined, but in boxes hidden away (99). An agreement was reached between the two parties, but museum heads around the world are anxiously watching these events. Bingham had permission from the Peruvian government during his 1911 expedition according to Hunt (2007), the Peruvian government felt that the property still belong to them. This raises issues for archeological finds worldwide. Do the artifacts belong to the country where they are found? On the other hand, do they belong to the archeologists that find them? Yale University and Peru agreed to share objects in return for most of the Machu Picchu artifacts. Machu Picchu is an archeological and architectural miracle. The Incans created a city without the use of a wheel or animals to do the heavy moving of the stones. The aqua ducts, stairs, terraces, and solstices rocks all spoke of an intelligent race of individuals. No one knows how far this people would have gotten due to the Spanish invasion. Machu Picchu makes one wonder what could have been? Bibliography Bingham, H. (2004). Inca Land. New York: Kessinger Publishing . Burger, R. L., & Salazar, L. C. (2005). Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas . New York: Yale University Press . Crouch, D. P., & Johnson, J. G. (2000). Traditions in Architecture: Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania . USA: Oxford University Press. DAltroy, T. N. (2003). The Incas. New York: Wiley-Blackwell . Hunt, P. (2007). Ten Discoveries That Rewrote History . New York: Plume. Joseph, F., Childress, D. H., Sitchin, Z., May, W., & Collins, A. (2006). Discovering the Mysteries of Ancient America: Lost History And Legends, Unearthed And Explored . New York: New Page Books . MacQuarrie, K. (2008). The Last Days of the Incas . New York: Portrait. Wright, K. R. (2000). Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvel. USA: American Society of Civil Engineers . Read More