In 1911, while exploring the countryside northwest of Cuzco, Peru, American archaeologist Hiram Bingham stumbled upon what we now know as the ruins of Machu Picchu. The above image is one of the first photos ever taken of the site.
Most historians believe that Machu Picchu was built during the height of the Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. The cite stretches over 5 miles, has over 150 buildings, and has around three-thousand stone steps that join the many different levels.
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There is some disagreement among scholars as to what Machu Picchu’s original purpose was. Some theorize that it was a site for religious gatherings and rituals. Others think it was a royal estate for Inca emperors and nobles.
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In 1983, Machu Picchu became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it was titled one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Today, nearly one million tourists travel to see the site in Peru each year.
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