Machu Picchu, the majestic city of the Inca Empire, was built in the 15th century under the rule of Pachacutec Inca. This archaeological site, located 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level in Peru, is an impressive testimony to the engineering and social organization of the Incas. Was it simply a royal residence, a spiritual center, or something much more complex? In this article, we will explore the best kept secrets of Machu Picchu, from its mysterious origin and the identity of its builders, to the advanced engineering techniques that keep it intact after more than 600 years. Read on to know more about this facinating ancient city.
Who built Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu, the famous Inca citadel located in the Peruvian Andes, has been the subject of several theories about its origin and construction. Although the official version maintains that it was built by the Incas in the 15th century, there are alternative theories that suggest the participation of pre-Inca civilizations, theories about extraterrestrial influences and comparisons with other ancient cultures, such as Egypt. Below, we explore these theories in detail.
Pre-Inca civilizations:
Before the peak of the Inca Empire, several cultures flourished in the Andean region. Civilizations such as the Chavín, Paracas, Nazca, Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku and more left significant architectural and cultural legacies. Some scholars suggest that Machu Picchu may have been built by one of these pre-Inca cultures, the Incas later adapted and expanded the structure for their own purposes. For example, the Intihuatana, a ritual stone located at Machu Picchu, has features that may indicate construction prior to the Inca era.
Alien theory:
An alternative theory suggests that Machu Picchu was built with the help of extraterrestrial beings. This hypothesis is based on the astronomical alignment of the structures, such as the Intihuatana, interpreted as a solar clock or astronomical calendar. In addition, the location of Machu Picchu at an intersection of geological faults could have facilitated the extraction and carving of the stones, which some consider evidence of advanced knowledge transmitted by extraterrestrial civilizations.
Ancient civilizations:
Some theorists suggest that there are similarities between Machu Picchu and other ancient constructions in the world such as Egypt. For example, the alignment of the structures at Machu Picchu with astronomical events is reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramids, which are also oriented according to the stars and solstices and the style of constructions at Machu Picchu with megalith work, these similarities have led to speculation about shared knowledge or mutual influences between cultures from different continents.
The Incas:
The most widely accepted theory is that Machu Picchu was built by the Incas in the 15th century, by the Emperor Pachacutec. Archaeological research has dated the site to between 1420 and 1530 A.D, using advanced techniques such as radiocarbon dating. The Incas were known for their engineering and architectural skill, and Machu Picchu is an outstanding example of their skill, with structures such as the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana showing a deep understanding of astronomy and urban planning.
The Construction of Machu Picchu
The construction of Machu Picchu is a reflection of the extraordinary skill of the Inca engineers, designing the city to blend perfectly into the mountains. They used a technique known as “ashlar”, which consisted of carving large blocks of stone with simple tools and fitting them together with astonishing precision, without the use of mortar. This technique not only provided solidity to the structures, but also made them resistant to earthquakes.
The Incas incorporated structures adapted to the mountainous terrain, using agricultural terraces that not only were useful for cultivation, but also protected the mountain from landslides and erosion In addition, they built canals and water sources that ensured a constant supply of drinking water and helped drain rainwater, preventing floods.
Who Was Pachacutec
Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui was one of the most important rulers of the Inca Empire and he is considered the main architect of its expansion and consolidation. His name in Quechua means “he who transforms the world”, which reflects the profound impact he had during his rule. He rose to power in approximately 1438 and ruled until 1471, leading the Inca empire encompassing territories that today form part of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina. Pachacutec was also considered to have been much more than a military leader. He was a political reformer and a visionary who transformed the administrative system of the empire. He undertook great engineering and architectural works, such as the Qhapaq Ñan road network and numerous ceremonial centers in Cusco.
Among his most remarkable works is Machu Picchu. According to archaeological and historical studies, Machu Picchu was built during the rule of Pachacutec, around the year 1450. Machu Picchu would have been built by him as a royal residence to rest and also as a ceremonial center. Designed high in the mountains, with spectacular views and restricted access. For many today, Machu Picchu is the most recognized work of Pachacutec and a symbol of Inca grandeur. Pachacutec legacy lives on not only in written history, but also in every perfectly assembled stone of this wonder in Machu Picchu. Pachacutec was, without a doubt, the leader who transformed the Inca Empire and left as a legacy one of the most important architectural jewels of humanity.
Function and Purpose of Machu Picchu
Although we do not know what its exact function was, it is believed that Machu Picchu served as a country estate for the Inca nobility. It was strategically located on a mountain ridge, proving protection against possible enemies, facilitating the defense of the territory. The citadel also had a religious and ceremonial purpose. The Temple of the Sun and the ritual altar carved into one piece of stone (Intihuatana), which is believed to have functioned as a sundial or astronomical calendar, are examples of the spiritual importance of the site.
The most well acepted theory indicates that Machu Picchu was built as a royal state for Pachacutec Inca, strategically located 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level, high in the Peruvian Andes and about 75 km (46 miles) from Cusco. However, Machu Picchu would also have functioned as a sacred ceremonial center, given the presence of temples such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana or Sundial, structures aligned with the solstices. Many scholars believe that the citadel was dedicated to the worship of the Sun and the mountains (apus), reflecting the deep spirituality of the Incas.
In short, due to its location between sacred mountains and its alignment with astronomical phenomena reinforce the idea that Machu Picchu was built not only as a physical space, but also as a symbolic connection point between the sky, the earth and the underworld according to the Andean cosmovision.
Conclusions: Who Built Machu Picchu?
Over the years, Machu Picchu has been the subject of many theories about who really constructed it. Some believe that it may have been the work of a civilization older than the Incas, now lost, due to the perfection in the carving of the stones and the technique of fitting the blocks of stone without mortar that seems to defy the knowledge of the time. Others, from a more esoteric approach, have come to suggest that its construction was influenced by beings from other worlds, given its mysterious location, its astronomical alignment and the precision of its structures. However, the most accepted theory by h,storians and archeologists, is that it was built by the Incas during the 15th century, under the rule of Emperor Pachacutec, one of the most visionary and powerful leaders of the Tahuantinsuyo.
It is amazing how the Incas, guided by a leader like Pachacutec, knew how to build something so grandiose with the resources and knowledge of their time.
