Machu Picchu was built around 1450, on the high point of the Inca Empire.  Later it was given up somewhat to more as 100 years, in the year 1572, than late consequence of Spanish conquest.  it is probable the fact that most became its inhabitant by the smallpox exterminated before the Spanish conquerers in the area came, and it seems that they were conscious named Piccho of a place, although it does not visit recordings over Spanish with the remote city. The Konquistadoren unrecognizable holy rock at other places, but it is untouched in Machu Picchu.  One of the first theories about the purpose of the citadel, of Hiram Bingham, is that it " the traditional cradle of the Inka; Virgins of the Suns war."
Research of scientists under the line such as John Rowe and Richard Burger, has convinced most archaeologists that Machu Picchu became a deduction of the Inka rulers, Pachacuti. Beyond that Johan Reinhard has proof that the website became because of its situation compared with selected holy landscape features like its mountains, those to become alleged in adjustment on the most important astronomical events, which would have been important the Inkas. Another theory states that a Machu Picchu Inca " llaqta" , a settlement was built, in order to control the economy of these regions conquered. A further states that it can have as a prison for some few, which horrible crimes against the Inka society had committed built.
Another theory is to be determined that there is a agricultural research station, whose purpose is it the different cultures in the test many the different microclimate offered the situation and the terraces, which were not enough grow in order food to large extent, so much, what could grow, where.

Machu Picchu is appropriate for about 13 degrees in the southern hemisphere, south the equator.  It is 80 km northwest from Cusco, on the comb of the mountain Machu Picchu is appropriate for about 2450 m (8,000 ft) over the sea level, over 1.000 m (3,300 ft) lower than in Cusco, which has a height of 3600 m (12,000 ft).  As such it had a milder climate than the Inka capital. It is one of the most important archaeological places in South America, one of the usually-visited tourist attractions in all of Latin America and is the usually-visited tourist attraction in Peru. The year in Machu Picchu is subdivided between wet and dry seasons, whereby the majority of the annual precipitation Octobers fall, can until April however move each time of the yearly to fall in the months. Machu Picchu is above a loop of the Urubamba river, which surrounds the area on three sides, is with cliffs falls to perpendicularly 450 m (1,500 ft), around the river because of its basis. The area is under mornings fog rises from the river.
The situation of the city was a military secret, and outstanding natural defense forces offer mountains to its deep ravines. The Inka bridge, Inka suspension bridge, over the Urubamba river in the Pongo de Mainique, provided, a secret entrance for the Inka army. A further Inka bridge to the west of Machu Picchu, which trunk bridge, in a place, where a gap steps in the cliff that the measures 6 m (20 ft), which could be bridged by two trunks. If the trees were removed, it would be 570 m (1,900 ft), falls at the basis of the cliffs too abandoned to hold also intruders.
The city is appropriate for mountain in a saddle between the two mountains Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu,  with a controlling view in two valleys and one almost impassable in the back. It has a water supply from sources, which does not block easily, and sufficient country, around food for approximately four times as many humans as are lived always there. The tendencies would not drive, around it were cultivated, more fields to cultivation, but on the runway, which would have intruders ascends becomes steeper. The terraces a reduction also made for the ground erosion and landslides possible approximately protected. There are two routes at large values of Machu Picchu over the mountains back after Cusco, a gate by the sun, and the others in the Inka bridge. Both to be easily blocked could do, if intruders on them the beginning should. Independently of their original purpose, it is defended strategically favorably and well.

The Intihuatana stone is one of the many rituals of stones in South America. Spanish could not be found to Machu Picchu so that the Intihuatana Stone was not like many other ritual stones in Peru was destroyed. These stones are in such a way arranged, direct into the sun point during the winter sun turn. The name of the stone (perhaps coined/shaped by Hiram Bingham III) is Quechua: Thus inti meant " , and wata root is the Verb" to bind, by hitchhiker (UP) " (" Huata-' is simple Spanish way of writing). The Quechua well suffix leads nouns for tools or places. From there inti Watana is literally an instrument or a place to " binds the Sonne" , often in English as " The Hitching post office from the sun to the expression gebracht" , because the stone believed that by their place along its annual way into the sky hold the sun.
At noon 21. March and 21 September, Tag-und night-same, the sun does not stand for shade nearly over the column Casting on all.  The researchers believe that it was built as an astronomical clock or the calendar. The Intihuatana stone was damaged in September 2000, as a 450 kg (1,000 Pound) crane on it fell, fallow a piece from stone of the size of a ball-point pen. The crane used by a staff of J. Walter Thompson advertising agency the film engages an announcement for a beer mark. " Machu Picchu the heart of our archaeological inheritance and Intihuatana is the heart of Machu Picchu is. They geschlagen" with us most holy inheritance; , Federico said buyer Doig, Peruvian archaeologist.