|
Although there are many ancient ruins in Peru (Puca-pucara and Sacsayhuaman, among many others), the most distinguished and well known are the ruins of Machu Picchu. Nicknamed "The Lost City of the Incas" and discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has brought more tourists to Peru than anything else. However, there has been a recent controvery over how the dramatic increase of tourists has been affecting this site. Since its rise in fame, scientists, archaeologists, as well as natives have been worried about the physical effects on the buildings. Since Machu Picchu was untouched by the Spanish invasion because they could not find it, it has become special to the Peruvian culture overall. There is a lot of mystery that comes with this city. Shortly after being constructed and inhabited, the remaining Incas vanished into the Amazon jungle surrounding Machu Picchu in an effort to escape the Spanish invasion. Machu Picchu is the most notable monument of the Incan culture. |
 |