The observatory is on the top of a big hill.
![image_thumb1[1]](https://kerrimatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/image_thumb1110.png "image_thumb1[1]")
There are many stairs leading up to it.
- Category Archives Uncategorized
-
-
Machu Picchu: Terraces
Machu Picchu has a lot of terraces.
The really narrow terraces in front of the temples were mostly to prevent erosion from destroying the temples. They probably had decorative flowers. They do not have any irrigation, which makes it unlikely they were used for farming.
But there were plenty of farming terraces on the other side of the mountain.
And higher up on Machu Picchu mountain.
And generally all around the city.
All of the stone chips created from carving the stones for building are put in the bottom of the terraces for drainage. This was important because Machu Picchu gets a lot of rain.
There were even more terraces down below the city. These were probably partially defensive because they make it hard to get up the mountain without being seen, and easy to block people because the only way up is the stairs.
-
Machu Picchu: Guardhouse
The building called the guardhouse is at the top of the hill.
It has a very good view of the city.
And it would be impossible to get up there without them seeing you.
-
Machu Picchu: Gate
This is the main gate into the City of Machu Picchu.
It would once have held a wooden door and latches.
It was very crowded because it is one of the only places with shade in the middle of the day.
-
Quenco
Quenco is an ancient Incan site just north of Cusco.
Most of the stones were taken by the Spanish to build buildings.
But some parts of the site could not easily be carried away.
This included the large natural rock formations.
The temple has lots of tiny passages through giant rocks.
Most were probably originally natural but have been carved out and smoothed.
On one side there are some small buildings coming out of the temple.
This table was likely used for mummification of Inca royalty. The cool atmosphere of the cave helped with the process.
There were once many buildings south of this temple, but all that remains is the foundations that were too difficult to scavenge.
Many of these were made from gigantic, elaborately carved stones.
The building foundations look weird without the rest of the stones.
Some are carved into strange shapes.
Some had stairs that now don’t go anywhere.
