New Discoveries at Machu Picchu
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Wisdom of the ancient Incans remains
attractive to present day visitors of Machu Picchu, both recreational and
scientific. Since this ancient lost city
was revealed 90 years ago archeologists have recently made new discoveries of
this mysterious empire. Having the
finest examples of ancient architecture on the planet and perched atop a cloud
forest at 7,970 ft., this majestic ancient city appears to reach up to the
gods. Still, many mysteries remain
unsolved. Some theories even speculate that
some of the sites were built for extraterrestrial landings.
A few years ago Peruvian archeologists
discovered the first full Incan burial site at Machu Picchu, which is a
significant find, since nothing like this had been discovered before. Now scientists can study the remains as well
as the funeral objects that accompany the bodies. Studies confirmed that most of the bones were
female, which suggests that the site was part of a sanctuary for elite woman in
the society.
Five sectors of Incan paths and platforms
adjacent to Machu Picchu citadel were also discovered in 2006 by Cusco’s
National Institute of Culture. The Incan
Sanctuary, originally thought to have 90,000 square meters, is now confirmed to
be a sprawling 136,000 square meters. There
are 46,000 square meters of platforms and 8 Incan paths on the Huayna Picchu
hill. The organization has plans to
restore and prepare the area for excavation, which should be finished by 2009.
Machu Picchu was also recently named one of
the New 7 Wonders of the World along with the Great Wall of China, the Petra
ruins in Jordan, and the Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. The ancient Incan Sanctuary received over 100
million votes.
There is no doubt of Machu Picchu’s
powerful cultural importance, but there are some questions as to who can claim
the artifacts. If you want to see Incan
relics from the late 1400’s you’ll have to go to New Haven, Connecticut, not
Peru. Yale historian Hiram Bingham, who
rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911, returned to the Ivy League school with a
truckload of archeological finds. Today
Peru is threatening to sue Yale, claiming that the artifacts were only put on
loan, and now they want them back. The
artifacts mean everything to Peruvians.
To them these objects are not just interesting archeological finds but
proof that even though they are poor their ancestors lived great and proud.
Even the most jaded skeptics will be
mesmerized by the spiritual atmosphere, especially the sun gate that was
constructed just perfectly so that the rising sun shines through the cloudy
mist and revealing the temples that reach up to the sky. The Incans are proof that ancient
civilizations were advanced even beyond what we know of their society. Questions about the Incans still remain and
the new discoveries offer no definitive answers but raise more questions.
For
further information on Peru please visit AllAboutPeruTravel
Site
About the Author
Michael Zurakhinsky is an experienced traveler and the writer for www.AllAboutPeruTravel.com - an independent resource, providing the travelers with free, online information about Peru and the wonderful highlights it contains.
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