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The Rapid Rise and Fall Of Machu Picchu
A surprisingly short run
Soaring above steep valleys and below jagged mountain peaks, Machu Picchu is one of the only symbols left standing from the old Inca civilization that once dominated South America. Machu Picchu is one of the most famous ruins complexes on Earth and attracts over a million curious tourists each year. Some have described Machu Picchu as a world wonder. But for all of its grandeur and mystery, it didn’t take long for Machu Picchu to become a ruin. In fact, Machu Picchu was abandoned shortly after it was completed in the late 15th century.
Wandering around the formidable stone ruins, it is easy to imagine a thriving fortress, a bustling palace, or a revered temple standing on the spot. The stately nature of the surrounding mountains combined with the age of the stone makes one think that the ruins must have endured for generations. The unfortunate reality of Machu Picchu is that it likely only existed for a time lasting between 40 and 120 years. In the grand scheme of ancient ruins, that is breathtakingly short.
From its rapid rise in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu vanished into obscurity. Between the early 16th century and the 19th century, no Europeans were said to have visited the site. Even the surviving Inca natives forgot about Machu Picchu, and the ruins were overtaken by nature…
