History, archaeology, exploring, hiking, all those things are of serious interest to me and I enjoy posting photos along those lines. I remember seeing the older photo a few months ago while looking for photos that piqued my interest.
I read up on the photo and the person who took it - Hiram Bingham. He was a Yale lecturer, explorer, treasure hunter and later Senator. He had explored the city of Choquequirao in the south of Peru in 1909 before being told of another archaeological wonder, Machu Picchu. Accompanied by local indigenous farmers, Bingham traversed the hilly jungle clad region and found himself at the city's ruins. He went on to announce to scholars the discovery of Machu Picchu on 24 July 1911.
Here's a more recent photo to give a comparison of the two very different appearances of Machu Picchu from then to today.
Hiram Bingham, a North American explorer, or a modern day thief? My family who are locals of the Peruvian Andes, share their knowledge of the American discovery of this ancient city. Explorers for years have been trying to find this city to no avail. The altitude is high, transportation is minimal, and the city is more than a myth than reality. Come Hiram Bingham, with his ultimate goal to find the treasures buried deep in this unknown city, with his team or archeologists financed by one of the wealthiest institutions in North America. They ask the indigenous locals of this city but the secret is well kept, as the locals are reluctant to give information knowing the westerners have a hidden agenda. It was a young campesino, or land dweller, that for the mere price that adds up to $10 in their times, agrees to show Bingham and his crew this lost ancient city. Once the city is discovered, Bingham and his crew loot the city for its riches including the precious gold that has been hidden for years. Small pay offs to government officials allows for the treasures to be smuggled into the US without Bingham and his crew being caught. An ancient city that has always been known to the locals, is now claimed to being found by an American explorer. Items stolen from the ancient city are never to be found, yet Hiram Bingham is credited for the discovery of a city that has well been discovered before him and occupied by the indigenous. Now it is a Disneyland, deemed one of the seven wonders of the world, with the Mickey Mouse ears as hats being replaced by the peruvian beanie, or chullo. Hiram Bingham is considered to be like Christopher Columbus, somebody who stole from the indigenous, but is credited for this city that has been discovered long before he set foot in this magical place.
When history is written it is oftentimes the victor whose voice is heard the loudest. I empathize with the Peruvian people, and all indigenous peoples, whose historical records have been taken from them, whether it be gold or silver artifacts, broken pieces of pottery, their tombs opened and invaded, or the corpses of long dead people taken from their homeland. Universities, archaeological societies, independent explorers. All sorts of institutions and people have laid claim to their "findings". But, that should't discount that these findings will then reach a greater proportion of people than just a small number who know very well of the magical places that lay hidden from so many eyes. Many of the wider swath of people have expertise and knowledge that can maintain those historical sites and the artifacts within. That being said, it's deplorable for any entity or person to lay claim to treasures that are of great importance to the people whose ancestors were the creators thereof. For what it's worth, I read this in the wiki entry on Machu Picchu: On 19 June 2008, National Geographic Society's vice-president Terry Garcia was quoted by the daily publication, La República. "We were part of this agreement. National Geographic was there, we know what was said, the objects were lent and should be returned." On 21 November 2010, Yale University agreed in principle to the return of the controversial artifacts to their original home in Peru. La Casa Concha (The Shell House) located close to Cusco's colonial center will be the permanent site where the Yale University artifacts will be exhibited. Owned by the National University of San Antonio Abad Del Cusco, La Casa Concha will also feature a study area for local and foreign students.On 19 September 2007, the Courant reported that Peru and Yale had reached an agreement regarding the requested return of the artifacts. The agreement includes sponsorship of a joint traveling exhibition and construction of a new museum and research center in Cusco about which Yale will advise Peruvian officials. Yale acknowledges Peru's title to all the excavated objects from Machu Picchu, but Yale will share rights with Peru in the research collection, part of which will remain at Yale as an object of continuing study.[35]
I'd love to visit this incredible place before it's turned into an amusement park. I fear that any destination accessible by motorcoach will be consumed by tourists before long. Perhaps Bingham should have never told anyone about the city in the mountains.
There's already a train that runs straight to it and there is a luxury hotel there. You don't have to take the 4 day hike, it's just WAAAAY more enjoyable of an experience than taking a luxury train to a luxury hotel and plopping out of your luxury hotel room in your luxury boots to see one of the greatest man made structures. -Wusses.
There are plans for building a small airport there as well. I think we've been lucky to see this place as it was. Walking the Inca trail is a must! A week before I went up there I was at the Cementerio de Chauchilla, near Nasca: a 1000 year old burial site which was looted by grave robbers just the day before. They took one of the few remaining mummies (most have been robbed in the last decades). The site has been looted many times. Everywhere lie shards, ripped clothing and human bones. I was so outraged! The same is happening now in Greece and Italy. The Parthenon and Pompeï are falling apart due to lack of funds, corruption, pollution and vandalism. Go see them while you can, it may be the last time!
It's an amazing place and taking the 4 day hike to it was one of the best experiences OF MY LIFE. If anyone is interested in going or knowing more about the experience, let me know. On a side note, Bingham took a lot of the artifacts back to Yale and they were recently ordered to bring them back to Peru. I went there with scrimetime and our wives. I think he'd agree that it is one of the most amazing places on earth. If you get a chance, GO.
It's one place I want to go to before I die. I will get there someday. How long were you in Peru? Was Machu Picchu your primary destination? Fill us in on the details! Edit: just read your post. It sounds amazing and to think your wife was there for 2 months. I've heard good things from people who've traveled to Peru. I can imagine yours and hers experiences must have been truly memorable. Great photo, too!
I think I was there for 10 days. We spent some time in Lima and then headed to Cusco. I would have rather skipped Lima and just spent time in Cusco personally. Lima was fun but it is a HUGE city and felt a bit overwhelming to try and soak it in in just a few days. Cusco though is a beautiful city and is in such a lovely part of the country. The hike to Machu Picchu has gorgeous vistas and archaeological sites right from the outset. This is from day 1:
You work hard getting to Machu Picchu but the journey is every bit as impressive, if not more so, than Machu Picchu. For one thing it's far more private and there are gorgeous ruins on the way too. Once you get there, you're pretty beat so it's nice to relax and soak it all in. Here is my favorite picture from the trip of me and my wife:
Thanks for the description of your trip and the hike to Machu Picchu. It looks like it was well worth the efforts. Cheers!
A friend did a volunteer medical trip to Peru this past year. Interesting tidbit I came across for those who've never heard - if you turn these pictures on their side, some of the features of a face can be seen. The tallest mountain is the nose. Granted, the following painting was used with a little creative license.
I didn't notice that until you posted it. It's interesting to see this. There used to be a rock formation in New Hampshire, US, that bore a striking resemblance to an "Old Man of the Mountain", which ended up being it's name by residents of the state. This is a composite photo of that mountain. Unfortunately, the face portion fell off due to natural causes a few years ago.