Now it is an economically poor country. Much of its old riches of gold and other previous objects looted by the Spaniards for several hundred years. Its Inca culture and architectures almost completely destroyed by the Catholic Christian missionaries by various means including the force of Inquisition. Only a handful of structures survived the destruction. One of them is the Macchupichu.
Machupicchu, an Inca ingenious structure
Lucky for Peru and lucky for the whole world that few Inca structures survived the destruction caused by the Spaniards in the region.
Lucky for Peru and lucky for the whole world that few Inca structures survived the destruction caused by the Spaniards in the region.
Mcchupicchu archaeological sign near the entrance to the site
High up on the steep tall Andes mountains in Peru where the clouds touch the top of the mountains and rivers flow at the bottom of the mountains, lies a superb Inca construction site ruins called the Machupicchu. It is one of the prime example of the rich Inca culture and their ingenuity.
Machupicchu was a small township on top of the high steep Andean mountains. This small township has areas of housing, commerce area, administration, Sun dial, Sun temple, walkways, common open space area. The water collection area on top of the tall steep mountain for its daily use and for farming etc.
The farming area is constructed as the stairs patterns on the steep slopes of the tall Andean mountains,.
High steep Andean mountains range touching clouds in the sky and river flow in
the valley below.... why some Incas chose to live here high up on this mountain?
the valley below.... why some Incas chose to live here high up on this mountain?
Machupicchu ruins on a small plateau on a tall mountain-top surrounded by many other tall mountains. It is far from major population centers. The air and water are clean here. It is quite and peaceful here.
Little closeup of Machupicchu ruins
The Sun temple, very important part of Inca culture's spirituality.
This picture shows the the mathematically precise windows on this Sun temple walls. On Summer solstice and winter solstice the Sun rays some at a specific location on the center rock. That gave then indication for arrival of winter and summer seasons. The winter solstice occurs around December 20 to 23 and summer solstice occurs on June 20 to 23. The equinoxes in march and september gave indication of spring and fall seasons.
The phenomena of Summer and winter solstice is noted because of our planet Earth's tilt of about 23.5 degrees around its axis as it rotates around the Sun.
The Incas in ancient times seem to be aware of the earth's tilt and knowledge that earth rotates around the Sun. The Incas also seem to have calculated the 23.5 degrees of the tilt of the earth. And the total variation of the Sun shadows of about 47 degrees. And its association with the season's change and the day light hours etc.
On the other hand, in Europe, the great scientist Galileo was put in jail in 1633 just for eight years for saying that earth rotates around the Sun and not vice versa.
American society of civil engineers presented a plaque of recognition for Inca's construction knowledge and design.
Walking down the trails from this tall mountain provide close up views of the wild flowers trees and surrounding mountains.
Many creeks on the slops of the mountains as well as near the bottom of the Mountains.
LIMA, the capitol city of Peru
Lima is capitol city with lots of auto traffic. Many street vendors. At times corn on the cob, fava beans, fruits etc.
National museum with some impressive collections. Work in progress to bring in more items.
The symbol of SUN very various markings, important to Inca culture, near the entrance to the museum.
various potteries
Some paintings showing their way of life.
Made of Gold and other precious metals another artistic depiction of Sun rise and its rays.
Most gold is looted by the Spanish conquistadors . But few little pieces remain for display.
Most gold is looted by the Spanish conquistadors . But few little pieces remain for display.
Gold and gold alloys ornaments
Gold, alloy ceremonial masks
other gold ceremonial objects.
The museum also covers the bloody unrest in this once peaceful and rich country.
Many believe the internal fight created, instigated and fueled by few people in foreign countries.
Many believe the internal fight created, instigated and fueled by few people in foreign countries.
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Some more display of gold work and paintings at the museum at the Central Bank of Peru.
Some pictures of Inca way of life and ceremonies erc.
Inca Gold ornaments
Inca gold ornaments closeup.
Gold utensils....
more gold utensils
Some college students on the field trip to this museum,
paining of the Spaniards in Peru.
Picture of poor villagers. Almost all of their national treasures looted for over 500 years.
Their culture, spirituality now replaced by mostly catholic christian religion. It is now one part of so called Latin America, the whole continent of South America.
