UNESCO in 1981 determined that Machu Picchu was a Cultural and Natural World Historic Site. And I can affirm it is the most interesting historic sites on my journey.
Back on Machu Picchu....this picture of the Watchman's Hut. It is often argued what was the purpose of Machu Picchu....was it a Ceremonial Center? A Citadel? An Administrative Center? I don't think the question has been resolved among the scholars. It did have a place for high raking individuals - that was known.
The Temple of the Sun...
And the breathtaking beauty as it sits high in the Andes....
Note between these two buildings the even lines of the exterior structure...the roof was attached to those round poles exposed on each side of the building.
Inside this home for a high person or chief....the openings on the wall were for artifacts....not windows.
The windows were trapezodial....and very finely carved....
This is but another view of the remarkable stone work...
...the lines of the stones are so straight....again....15th Century.....
The irrigation that carries water thru Machu Picchu.....and it is fresh cold water too!
These are cultivation terraces on the East side.....
A door passage from the home...
Sitting in one of the shelters and looking out to the East....
Check out these roof line....is that not just amazing?
A look at the terracing from below...
These next 3 photographs are from the West side. This is the location of the quarry where all the stones were extracted and carving began before being moved to their desired location. I have to say once we reached this side of Machu Picchu the wind was very noticeable...whereas on the East side it was very calm.
There was no evidence of how these stones were moved nor of the tools used in the carving....only the imagination can come up with many answers...
Every once in a while a beautiful flower was exposed in the rock or on the path....
These are the walls of the three homes of the most high persons on Machu Picchu
These were the homes behind them looking up the mountain....
I found these little guys on the side of one of the buildings. They are rabbits who live in the rocks. They are similar in fur to the chinchilla...
I took this photo above the Temple of the Sun...no one is allowed inside the temple...but it will show the window on the left side where the Summer Solace will penetrate and shine on the slab just below the window.....that slab is thought to be in the 50 ton range....
Looking out across the terraced fields and common areas to the Watchmen's Hut....
I was just enthralled with Machu Picchu....worth the trip for sure. I would recommend the journey to anyone.
Now back down to Aguas Calientes....I did not take any pictures on the way down...I just pulled the curtain of the bus window....hoping the brakes would hold!!
This is the view out my hotel balcony of the Urubamba River....and the village of Aguas Calientes - note the train runs right down the main street!
This was a hoot! On the train ride back to Cusco...which was about 3 hours....we were entertained....not only by this jester (for sake of a better word)...but also with a fashion show of clothing offered for sale on the train. Most of it Alpaca....very nice stuff....Some of the passengers had a few too many beers or too much wine and decided to join in the dancing and fashion show...the journey was memorable!!
Photo of the day....well this sort of reminded me of "Sampson"....well sort of...close your eyes and imagine Sampson separating those walls...then peek out at this picture....I said "sort of"....
No comments:
Post a Comment