When Was Machu Picchu Discovered?
One of the most famous ancient sites you can visit in all of South America (let alone just Peru), Machu Picchu is graced with just-an-impressive history.
Created by the Inca civilization, this historic site served multiple purposes until it was eventually abandoned. It would later be re-discovered centuries after – and later in this article we’ll explore exactly how it was found, by whom and also when.
In this guide let’s now explore when Machu Picchu was discovered, and what made this Inca citadel so hard to discover. We’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section later in this article.
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When Was Machu Picchu Discovered?
The answer of this question has two parts, first with its founding date by the Inca as well as when it was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham during his exploration of Peru.
The ancient fortress of Machu Picchu was first built by the Inca civilization in the early 15th Century. Presumably the area on top of this iconic mountain was also first discovered close to this time, which would have once been covered with trees and thick vegetation.
Several hundreds years later after being abandoned, Machu Picchu was then rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham – an American history teacher who was actually searching for the ancient Inca stronghold of Vilcabamba when he came across this site.
Why Didn’t The Spanish Find Machu Picchu?
One of the most puzzling aspects of Machu Picchu was why it wasn’t discovered long before the arrival of Hiram Bingham.
It’s thought that the Inca abandoned this site during the 16th Century, which is around the same time that the Spanish began to conquer Peru (with many believing it was left as a way of protecting it since the Spanish destroyed most sites). This means that it remained a secret to the mountains for over 300 years until it was eventually rediscovered.
The biggest and most popular theory as to why Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish, was because they never knew it existed – and thus never tried to look for it. Considered one of the highest royal estates created for the Emperor Pachacutec, it was likely that the majority of the Inca civilisation also didn’t know that it existed – and therefore couldn’t share this information with them when they were forced to.
Another important factor is how remote the mountains are where Machu Picchu is located – which would have been like looking for a needle in the haystack for the Spanish. They also never explored the formidable Inca Trail route, which if they had done, would have led them straight to the fortress of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Discovery FAQ
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about when Machu Picchu was discovered, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
Why Did It Take So Long To Find Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located in a remote valley several hours away from Cusco, surrounded by thick vegetation and fast-flowing rivers. Given the Inca Trail also wasn’t yet discovered entirely, this meant that explorations to try and find this site would have been difficult given the wild terrains. As well as this, when the mountain was actually found – the ruins were completely obscured by overgrown trees and vegetation.
What Happened In 1983 In Machu Picchu?
Another extremely important date in the development of Machu Picchu came centuries later, in 1983. It was here when this ancient site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was given more protection by local, national and international institutions. This would then lead to development of infrastructure and facilities around the site too.
Why Did The Incas Abandon Machu Picchu?
It’s thought that the Incas left Machu Picchu around the 16th Century, which is exactly the same time that the Spanish began to conquer Peru. It’s believed that the Inca may have rallied more troops from here, or left it as a way of hiding the site. It’s still not completely known today exactly why it was abandoned, and other theories suggest that either climate changes and food scarcity may have also played a role (especially given its very remote location).
Overview Of When Machu Picchu Was Discovered
And that’s all for this guide on when Machu Picchu was discovered.
One of the iconic Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a true highlight of any trip around Peru and South America. Rediscovered in 1911 by one Hiram Bingham, it instantly made global news and is now one of the most visited ruins on the continent.
Are you ready to explore the ancient site of Machu Picchu? Here at AB Expeditions we operate a variety of Machu Picchu tours from Cusco, which include all transport, entrance tickets, meals as well as an expert guide to lead you around.