Machu Picchu

R Roscoe

Andy Roscoe’s Free Incan Tour Guides

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 Eastern view. R Roscoe

Background construction.12 Allows for the support of heavy

granite buildings, large quantities of tourists,
Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham
seasons of heavy rain, earthquakes and even
in 1911.
drainage.3
It was a royal estate of Pachacutec, a winter
Cutija hacienda controled the land of MP.
court. This area was inhabited to keep the
Neighboring haciendas included Collpani,
Chanca conquered. Free travel was not allowed
Mandor, Cedrobamba, Pampacahuay.3
among the people so only the Inca leadership
Why no Spanish destruction? Maybe the civil
would have know about it.12 Supported no more
war and smallpox was draining Cusco’s resources
than 750 and only a few hundred during the
and all the sites along the Inca Trail were
rainy season (Nov–Apr).3
abandoned along with treasures.4 Or maybe these
Compounds could hold twice as many people
sites were abandoned during Manco’s rebellion.
as housing. MP compounds housed 120 elites.
The Incas burned many houses through this area
They have superb stone work, cut and polished.
to ensure a barrier between Vilcabamba and
Each doorway has carved ‘bar-sockets’, used to
Cusco.1562 doc, 4
support a kind of door. Housing: 150 possible
dwellings, at most 750 residents. MP has about
30 religious structures, many more than other
royal estates. Pachacuti’s panaca was very
History
1450. Built, based on the architectural style.1
important religiously.3 1565. Mentioned in a traveler’s journey to
It was originially believed to be a place for Vilcabamba as Picho.8
the Virgins of the Sun. This was based on skulls 1568. Probably visited by Spaniard Gabriel
found by Bingham. Skulls do not differ as much Xuarez. He bought the surrounding area, though
in Andean people as in Caucasions. Studies on no evidence.10, 8 Also mentioned in a Spanish
the pelvic bones show that the men, women document, “village of Picho.”8
ration were actually equal.11 Warrior skeletons 1865. Antonio Raimondi’s map shows a peak
found gives evidence of MP as not just a religious “Machu Picchu.”8
site. As a royal estate it showed locals who was 1875. Charles Wiener tried to find MP because
in power.9 it was reported as an interesting archaeological
Most burials at MP were of Collas, Lupaqas, site.8 He listed rumors of Huaina Picchu and
and Pacajes from Lake Titicaca. Also Canaris, Matcho Picchu, Perou et Bolivie.1
Chacas, and Chimu. Broken bones and bad backs 1904. Lizarraga treasure hunted these slopes.
indicate retainers and laborers.3 He reported the ruins, but no one paid attention.
Metallurgy was important to MP. Because 1911. Discovered by Bingham. A trepanned
of abundant fuel and natural draft furnaces skull was found. No skeletons were found inside
possible. 170 metal artifacts excavated.5 Tin the city. Animal specimens were left with
mostly found, from N Bolivian highlands. Smithsonian. Archaeological material left with
Bingham found large bronze crowbars, possibly Yale Museum. Peru received excavation from
replacing wooden levers.3 1914–15.2
2000ft above the river.13 It took 50 years William Farabee, Harvard anthropologist,
to build.9 Buildings consist of 18 different traveled down the Urubamba R. He gave a map
building styles, including Imperial.8 Water to Bingham. Albert Gresecke, U of Cusco, also
canals was carefully built and structured just for traveled the Urubamba R and told of rumors of
its construction. Plazas were built up to create MP ruins above Mandor Pampa.1
level surfaces and support for buildings. About 1934. Became overgrown after Bingham left.
60% of construction was spent on this unseen Louis Valcarcel recleared it.13
 Description of locations from the Right side of the map. 3

6. A Roscoe

1. R Roscoe 3. D Roscoe 9. Bench. M Tadlock

Descriptions 5. Quarry. Stone

working was done
1. Drawbridge. To the west, the trail cuts into
using hammer stones
the side of a bluff. There is a gap in the trail
of harder material. Left
with a removable bridge. The path continues on
over stones and chips
to Llactapata. Roundtrip 1hr.4
made excellent terrace
2. Main Gate. This is the imposing main
fill.14
entrance to Machu Picchu. Frames Huayna
6. Western SIDE.
Picchu.1 Lintel ring stone and bar holds are on
In the foreground
the inside.14
is the quarry. In the
Bingham found more than 30 obsidian 2. D Roscoe
Sacred Plaza you can
pebbles. No volcanic activity in the area to
clearly see the viewing
produce these. Bingham thought they were
platform, looking at
from a meteor shower. Using x-ray fluorescence,
Llactapata.12
U of Missouri found they are Chivay obsidian
Trail on W side down
from Colca Valley near Arequipa. Too small for
to river. Found after
potential tool use. Precious offerings were often
1997 forest fire. Not
placed in special locations, like here. Person
open to the public as of
from Colca canyon probably placed them here as
2000.4
an offering as they entered MP, valued because
7. Snake Rock. 4. D Roscoe
it was created from apus of volcanic mountain
Serpent Rock. Snakes
peaks of Colca and also the river that shaped the
are carved onto to rock,
stones.3
cave underneath.12
3. Roof. You can see from this photo how the
These can only be seen
thatched roofs were attached to the building.
when standing ontop.14
Most buildings have perfect stone work and
8. Staircase to Sacred
dry masonry, but then have rough mortared
Plaza.
stonework in the gables.2
4. Fake. Here is an archeologist’s attempt to
split a stone, not an Incan attempt. 5. R Roscoe
 4 Description of locations from the Right side of the map.

9. M Roscoe

10. Principal. R Tadlock

10. Looking N. R Roscoe

9. Temple of the three windows. Bingham

believed this was birthplace of the Incas, which 10. Sacristy. ward
talked of the Incas coming forth from 3 caves. Priest House one faces
The edge of the windows are rounded more than the Sun Temple at
usual to allow for wider view.11 Llactapata and the
A masmas, open sided building had a stone setting sun over Mt
pillar to support the roof.6 Pumasillo on the Dec
Looks due east toward the rising sun.Reinhard, 1 Solstice.11 The base of
Bench. A large stone block sits on a small the platform is perfectly
cylindrical stone was used as roller to help in carved but the upper is
moving.4 rough: shows a later 10. Huaca. D Roscoe
Originally had 5 windows. Two were blocked “hasty construction.”4
off. Near the base is a rock with the step motif Principal Temple is on the N side of the plaza.
carved onto it. The N corner-stone shows that Maybe dedicated to Viracocha. It’s a masma,11
the rock was being smoothed after placing. A three-walled building with large foundation
“shallow groove in the end face” showed workers stones and excellent stone work. “Only temple
how far to cut.12 with a kind of sub-temple attached, Sacristy.4
10. Sacred Plaza. Here are the Principal Sacristy/Priest house, maybe a place for
Temple and Priest’s House and stairway leading priest to prepare before entering Principal
up to Intihuatana. Sitting on the bench of the Temple. The left side of the door-jamb has a
 Description of locations from the Right side of the map. 5

11. M Roscoe 15. Ward

16. Donahue

12. M Roscoe
stone with 32 angles.4
There is a huaca
which points to the
cardinal directions.
Maybe represents the
Southern Cross.4
11. Image Stones. 16. Hummingbird. Wright
12. South stone. Wright
Also called Echo crane fell and broke off
Stones. Stones carved to match Mt Yanantin and a corner of the stone.1
Mt Putuski.12 There is also a
12. Inti huatana / Hitching Post of the carved stone arrow
Sun. Inti means sun. Huatana, as a noun means pointing south to Mt
a year. As a verb means hitching post.6 Salcantay: the Southern
High point of MP. It points to true north. Cross rises to the east,
Cardinal directions with alignment to 4 mountain peaks directly overhead 14. A Roscoe
peaks:9 Salcantay S, Huayna Picchu N, Pumasillo and sets to the west.
W, Veronica E. At the center of sacred peaks and 13. Main plaza.
solar events. On the equinox, the sun rises over 14. Uña Picchu. This is the small mountain
Mt Veronica and sets at Mt San Miguel. And Dec just to the right of this plaza.
solstice the sun sets at over Mt Pumasillo. 15. Sacred Rock is just below this marker.
Every major site has one and another at It’s an Image Stone, like 11. It’s a carving of
Choquesuysuy and between here and Llactapata. Mt Yanantin.
Spanish destroyed most. This pillar is higher 16. Unfinished Temple. There is an
than any other.2 interesting “radiating petroglyph.” The wall
Maybe an abstract version of Huayna Picchu. has what appears a hummingbird design made
Shadows follow the same as HP.15, 1 “Carved with the stones.12
out of solid granite attached to the Salcantay 17. Upper Group. Single entry, double jam
massif” and connects HP.Reinhard, 1 with carved sockets. Main dwelling with 20 full
In 2000, while shooting a beer commercial, a length niches, hornacinas.3
 Description of locations on the Left side of the map are found on page 8. Description of locations on the Right side of the map are found on page 3.

18. Recording stones 1 1. Drawbridge

20. Ceremonial rock 22 2. Main gate
18 24
21. Watchman’s hut 23 20 3. Roof
22. Kallanka 4. Fake
23. Inca trail 21
5. Quarry
24. Machu Picchu Mtn 6. Western side
25. Agricultural sector 7. Snake rock
26. Canal 8. Staircase
27. Storehosues 9. 3 Windows Temple
28. path to hotel 10. Sacred plaza
29. Secure doorway 11. Image stones
30. Stairway 12. inti huatana
31. dry moat 2 13. main plaza
32. Princess’ palace 14. Uña picchu
33. Sun temple 15. Sacred rock
34. Royal mausoleum 16. Unfinished temple
35. stone baths 17. Upper group
27 25
36. Fountain house 3
37. Hanged man’s rock 29 6
38. King’s group
39. 3 door group
40. Kallanka 26 30 5
41. Image stone
42. Industrial sector 31
43. Condor Temple 4
33 7
44. Slide 28
45. mortars 37
46. Intimachay 36 10 11 12
34 32 38 8
35
9

43 41

44 42
39

13
40
45 17
14
16
46

15

Legend
7 Location without photo. 5 Location with needed photo. This view is from the top of Huayna Picchu,
looking down and back at Machu Picchu, looking
South. Photo by Dellany Donahue.
6 Location with photo.
 8 Description of locations from the Right side of the map.

30, 31. Mcgarey

Descriptions
18. Recording Stones. Several found, few
even seen before green micaceous or chloritic
slay schist. Found at the foot of of MP mountain
precipece. 56 found, only 3 with skeletons.
Stone disks: varying sizes, same color, no
carvings. For counting or maybe covering chicha
jars. Each has a cross carved in center. They are
carefully ground and polished, very thin (some
24. R Roscoe
almost translucent). Some made of sandstone
and other rock. 1.5hrs.4
Could be from an earlier culture, also found in 24. Machu Picchu
Ecuador. The Caras made similar. Mountain has housing
Dice marked with straight lines and crosses for 12 soldiers and a
for tally.12 carefully terraced signal
20. Ceremonial station at very top.
Rock. Also called the 10,000ft elevation,
Funerary Rock. The 3,200ft above river.13 25. R Roscoe
sharp bump matches Viewing platform every
Mt Yanatanin.12 The site 150ft. There’s a surprise
is surrounded by round new set of stairs after
river rocks, tieing it to each group. 1.5hr
the Urubamba R.14 climb.1
21. Watchman’s Hut 25. Agricultural
/ guardhouse. Next 20. R Roscoe Sector. A total of ten
to the Ceremonial Rock acres, not enough to
there’s also floating support the city, food 26. D Roscoe

stairs. was brought in from

A masmas, an open Cusicacha. 75in of rain
sided building. a year. Terraces allow
22. Kallanka largest water to absorb slowly
building at MP. Broken into the ground: no
pottery is probably erosion or landslide.
21. D Roscoe
evidence of drinking. Even Main Plaza was
Locals were allowed built in this manner.9 27. McGarey
near MP but not in.14 26. Canal. Called an
23. Inca Trail from “azequia.”2 It carries water 1.5mi.14
the Sun Gate and Cuzco. 27. Storehouses to the left of this marker.
Intipunku from Machu 28. Path to hotel.
Picchu roundtrip: 23. Sun Gate. A Roscoe 29. Secure Doorway. Doors were secured
 Description of locations from the Right side of the map. 9

33. D roscoe

28. McGarey 33. outside, Window. D Roscoe

using the ring above Pleiades’ arrival and
and side pegs were used signals the planting
with the noches on the season.1 The Enigmatic
sides.6 Window: “oddly shaped
30. Stairway. and faces north.
31. dry Moat. A large “On both sides...are
rock points upward, secret stones that pull
“about 1/3 of the out of the wall. The
way down, probably a Incas had something
survey marker.”14 29. M Roscoe 33. window. M Roscoe
inside, something
32. Princess’ palace that tightened and
/ priest house. turned.”Paolo Greer, 1 NE
Two-story building, window matches same
each floor was accessed angle at Coricancha.3
from the outside. A Built to represent
ledge supported the Coricancha in Cusco.
upper floor.14 Inca Trail – a pilmagrage 33. Stairs. R Roscoe
Closest building to Pachacutec’s gold
to the Sun Temple, statue.Paolo Greer, 1 Maybe the stone statue is “buried
excellent quality. Maybe in some terraces on the back side of MP, beneath
32. M Roscoe
housed a Sun Temple a rounded wall...best wall in MP.”Paulo Greer, 1
priest.12 The stone in the center is burnt. Originally
33. Sun Temple / Torreon2. Note the curved thought to be from lightning. After taking the
wall. The rock in the center is part of the gold statue to pay for Atahualpa’s ransom, they
outcrop. There’s a line cut into it and points to stacked the room with wood and burned it,
the rising sun on the June solstice.4 cracking the rock.Paulo Greer, 1 Carved rock outcrop
Three windows: 2 small, east and south, 1 probably in shape of puma to match Pachacuti’s
large portal with small holes. East Window: on connection to diety in vision.3
June solstice the rising sun casts a rectangular 34. Royal Mausoleum. Under the Temple of
light onto the center rock.15 It also frames the Sun. Pachacutec’s tomb with a gold statue
 10 Description of locations from the Right side of the map.

39. McGarey

34. Steps. D Roscoe

of himself on top of the

center rock for worship. 38. bedroom. M Roscoe
Luis Lumbreras, 1
Entrance
with steps is carved
into a single stone.
Fancy masonry filling
in gap.
35. Stone Baths. The
primary bath below the
Sun Temple.
36. Fountain
Caretaker’s House 34. Masonry. D Roscoe 38. bedroom. M Roscoe 38. bathroom. M Roscoe
is above the principal others, private garden, fountains, and baths.
fountain. Has a Entrance lintel has deep, long groove like at
recreated thatch roof. Ingenuity Group and Coricancha in Cuzco.3 The
Ceilings were probably stones were cut to give a “puffy” look, giving
“highly decorated, with each stone individuality.14
a rattan mat woven in 39. Three door group. Three massive double
elaborate geometric jamb doorways, each with “carved sockets with
designs stretched stone bar-holds”. Three kanchas surrounding
between the roof poles patio. Windows to the E.3
35. M Roscoe
and thatch.7, 4 40. Kallanka. Large celebration hall.
37. Hang Man’s rock. The lintel has a 41. Image Stones. Also called echo stones.
protruding ring carved from it, probably held a Stones carved to match visible moutians, like the
lamp or image.6 one between the Sacred Plaza and Intihuatana.
38. King’s Group. Royal Sector. Built with 42. Industrial Sector. Ingenuity Group,
massive lintels and high pitched gables.6 Up to Private Garden Group. 4 sections, has a
3tons.4 Includes Hangman’s Rock.6 surrounding wall with only 1 entrance of a
The Sapa Inca would stay here. More difficult double jamb and massive lintel, opens into a
to enter. Doorway lintels are twice as large of huairona – 3 walled room. Houses and huaironas
 Description of locations from the Right side of the map. 11

42, 43. donahue

enough. Condor carved

stone is here, a symbol
of Incan prisons. Or
possibly religious: many
niches are mummy size.
Or sacrificial area: small
canals around condor
44. M Roscoe
stone resemble those
at Kenko.6
44. Slide is a large
white rock with
platform carved into
43. Condor wings. Ward the top. The stairs next
are lined with niches. to the slide has hand
Sections connected holds notches.14
by stairways, one 45. Mortars. A 45. Bingham
of them is carved large room holds two
from a single block. stone mortars. Not
2 shrines of natural for grinding grain.
rock outcroppings. 2 These types found are
stone mortars carved 43. condor. M Roscoe
found in shrines at
into ground. Windows Sacsahuaman, Tarapata
provide view of Sun Temple and Temple of Three at Quente. Unknown
windows.3 use.Victor Angles
Largest compound could house 50–60. 46. Inti machay.
Compounds could hold twice as many people A small cave, above
as housing. MP compounds housed 120 elites. and to the E of
They have superb stone work, cut and polished. Condor Temple.4 A
46. Hemming, ranney
Each doorway has carved ‘bar-sockets’, used to solar observatory that
support a kind of door. Bingham found remains marked the December Solstice. Has coursed
of red stucco.3 masonry and a window carved into a boulder
43. Condor Temple / Prison Group. SE of that froms the front wall. Ten days before and
main Residential and Industrial sectors. Could after the winter solstice sunrise a beam of light
have been used for prisoners, niches large shines throught the window and on the back
wall.4
 38. King’s Group on Left. D Roscoe

Mt Yanatin. Christy 42. stairs, shrine. D Roscoe

Other maps Mini-bibliography

Cusco and the Sacred Valley: If you’d like to contribute photos, I’d love to
Cusco Guide – capital of the Incas. have your help, [email protected]
Cusco History – history of the capital. Photography: Kathy Christy, Dellany Donahue,
Coricancha – sun temple in Cusco. Patrick McGarey, David Roscoe, Monica Roscoe,
Sacsahuaman – fortress near Cusco. Robert Roscoe, Maria Tadlock, Richard Tadlock,
Sacred Valley - the beautiful valley. Hal Ward.
Ollantaytambo – fortress in Sacred Valley.
Pisac – major Inca site in Sacred Valley. See Full Bibliography at website.
1. Adams, Mark.
Machu Picchu and Inca Trail: 2. Bingham, Hiram.
Machu Picchu – original lost city. 3. Burger, Richard. Salazar, Lucy.
Inca Trail – hike past several sites. 4. Frost, Peter.
5. Gordon, Robert. Rutledge, John.
6. Hemming, John.
Other resources include: 7. Lee, Vincent.
Glossary of quechua 8. MacQuarrie, Kim.
Inca rulers 9. PBS, Nova.
Historic names 10. Rowe, John
Religion 11. Thomson, Hugh.
Tribes 12. Wright, Kenneth.
13. Fejos, Paul.
14. Wright, Ruth.
15. Reinhard, Johan. 3.0