The Machu Picchu
Historical significance
During the time of construction of Machu Picchu, the Inca people were a strong community until the time when the large portion of this population was consumed by the small pox in 1950ss and the rest were overpowered by their ethnic raiders. By the time Peru fell into Spaniard colonialism, the structures had transformed into ruins and the area covered by intense vegetation. The ruins were later discovered by an American archeologist named Hiram Bingham in 1911. The Inca architecture as portrayed in Machu Picchu represents one of the finest pre-historic architectural structures in the world (Bray, 47). This architectural technique is known as ashlar. Ashlar constitute cutting of blocks of stones which are later fitted together tightly without the use of mortar. One of the most significant representatives of this intrinsic architecture is found in the ollatatymbo, Cuzzo an even the pathways found at the Machu Picchu. From this site, it is clear that the Incas made a classical combination of thought with practicality in construction. They carefully planned their structures during construction. It is amazing how they were able to plot right angled structures without the use of surveying instruments. From some of evidence found in this section, Incas used models of their construction which were curved in stone before laying out the actual structures.
The choice of Incas to live within the mountains has a lot of significance to these people. They worshipped their gods and spirits of mountains which can be seen through their carving of distant mountains on flat surface of rocks which could have helped in their worship. They gave a lot of respect to any object in nature which they believed it had spirit. This can be seen in the way they created harmony too each and every object (Somervill, 29). Any rock that stood on the way of their construction, the rock was never demolished as paths were built around them. The buildings and other structures in the land had contours which were in line with the landform. Through this, the land and the structures that stood on it seemed to come together in a conspicuous form of unity. One of most form of exciting harmony is found on the Royal mausoleum where a rock was curved on the lower part and a structure constructed beneath it.
How the structures were made
Structures show a high level of architectural knowledge fine masonry work for that specific period of time. These structures were made from the most abundant materials from the locality which is granite rocks. Blocks of granite rocks were cut using stone or bronze tools which were later smoothened using sand. It is amazing to think of how these people at such a period would come up with ways of fitting together pieces of rocks some of which have multiple faces and corners. It is believed that these rocks were cut with levers on the side to help putting these rocks in position (Peterson, 21). These levers were later sanded off once the rocks were in position. This is as evidenced by presence of some levers on some rocks which could have been used as handles. The process of fitting these rocks must have been time consuming and up to detail as one the rocks leaves a minimal space between them. At a close look, the irregular shapes looks like a close knit system fitted together to complete a puzzle. Although the Incas have shown no evidence of knowledge about round objects, they represented their inti god (god of the sun) in that shape. May be the application of that shape was only left to their revered god.
Since there were no means other mechanical means of transporting these rocks to uphill, it is thought that hundreds of men were involved in rolling these rocks up the steep slopes. In addition there were no strong animals like oxen and donkeys which could be used to transport them neither were there strong threes to be used as levers. These blocks were later fitted together without any other fixing agent (Reinhard, 34). Peru lies in a high seismic zone where occurrence of earthquakes is a common phenomenon. The Incas architects must have considered layering locks on top of each other without mortar so that in case of an earthquake, these rocks would tilt freely and get back into position without leading to a collapse of the walls. These walls also show application of a great form of design that was aimed at helping the structures withstand event of earthquake (Mann, Crehore, 53).
The doors and the windows were designed in a trapezoidal form and they tilted on the inward direction from the bottom to the upper part. Most of the corners of these structures were rounded with the inner corners tilting towards the inner part of the room. Where there were corners, L-shaped blocks of rocks were used to complete right angles. Just like in the Pyramids of Egypt, the buildings had a narrow top than bottom to increase stability. The rocks were placed on top of each other giving an offsetting allowance which created a form of multi-level steps from one level to the other (Burger, Salazar, 46). The maintain balance, the lower part of the wall is constructed using larger pieces of rocks compared to the size of rocks in the upper parts of the wall. Although the artists did not have the modern day instruments to measure precision, the architects of the Inca used the precision of the eye to carry out construction through layering of rocks on top of each other leaving no space between them.
From the structures found at Machu Picchu, the architects involved in the construction of this old city must have done a great job so as to arrive at equilibrium in architecture in a slanting plane. The economy of space is seen in the way these people used their land. From their construction, no space was left to waste regardless of vastness of the land in the surrounding. The Incas built these structures while utilizing the space on a sloppy area near a great rock outcrop. All the palaces in this historical site portray a similar cleverness of creativity in construction. There is frequent application of series of physical features all over the place (Bingham, 16). This classic feature of Inca building style consists of buildings with asymmetrical walls with faultless joints between them. All the structures have gentle sloping walls which converged at the top. This makes the base of the building become wider than the roof. The gates or doors to each structure were made in a trapezoidal form as a part of the design.
On the part of the architectural finishing, the walls of these buildings show a fine mode of adjoining blocks of stone to each other. This can be seen in the main temple which gives one of the best attained walls in all of the structures. The design of Machu Picchu tends to move towards a peak of a sacred rock outcrop (Brukoff, et al, 61).
The architecture in construction incorporated the landscape of the surrounding. Most of the significant aspect of these buildings is that they were carried out on an inclined plane. The architects of Inca made a significant consideration about drainage. They designed their constructions with small conduits or channels which were aimed at preventing accumulation of any unwanted water.
Features
The construction area starts from the banks of Urubamba River and stretches up the gently sloping slope towards the peak of Machu cliff at a length of 600 meters. The city of Machu Picchu was surrounded buy a fortress wall measuring meters high and 1.8 meters wide (Burger, Salazar, 55).
Living quarters
During construction of this site, the land available was divided into two main areas. The most constructed part contained the urban zone while the other part was dedicated to agricultural purposes. The urban zone comprised of two major forms of architecture. These structures were designed on an east to west direction. It comprises of square plots temples, royal tombs, and stair cases made from rocks with a high precision. In total the settlement space consisted of about 140 construction units (Reihnard, 69). There is a section of streets, stairways and other channels which used to deliver water to various homes. The neighborhoods of this urban area were organized according to their specific uses which are determined by their characteristic nature. This area was divided into three main areas, the sacred portion, the popular district in the south and the high place where there lived the King, priests and other people who had a high regard in this society. At the first zone is the place where the temple of the sun, the intihuana and a room with three windows is found. All these structures were set aside for the sun god inti. The temples and palaces were built under very careful consideration some of which were constructed using white granite.
The popular district was the living area for the common people in the Inca kingdom which lived at the Machu Picchu. Along this area, simple buildings were constructed though at high level of architect including the storage buildings. These houses were constructed in groups of ten. Some of these houses were built around a communal court yard, while others were arrange in a line. The roofs of these houses were steep and were open while others were covered with thatches. The thatched houses were found outside the Machu Picchu and were used a temples. The architecture of some of these buildings consisted of rectangular prisms in shape. Their doors were trapezoidal in shape (Milson, 221). The main square and the sacramental areas are found surrounding two smaller square areas at the centre of urban section. This section is seen to have had a major ceremonial significance to the dwellers of this area.
The third part consisted of the royal place consisted of a group of houses which were constructed in rows in top f a slope. One residence consisted of reddish walls and is believed to have been the living place for the wise persons of the Incas. The living place for the princesses had rooms which were trapezoidal in shape. This place also contained the Monumental mausoleum which was a carved statue with an interior which looks like a vault and had carved drawings and was dedicated for the function of rites and offerings (Bray, 49).
Agricultural area
The area dedicated for agricultural purposes contains small raised areas which were dedicated for agricultural purposes. In the agricultural section, the area was subdivided into upper and lower sections. There were irrigation terraces which used to supply water for irrigation to these fields. In this area, there were channels which were used to dispatch water for irrigation. Some of these many agricultural terraces placed in sequence, were connected by a stone stairway fitted in the walls (Vannoy, 11). Other terraces were joined by a number of stone steps forming corridors. The layout of the terraces and platforms used for agricultural purposes were designed in perfect harmony with the mountains surrounding the site of this city. The retaining walls also formed terraces which created agricultural land as well as preventing soil erosion. Some architectures have described Machu Picchu as a castle of platforms as it contains numerous water fountains for irrigating the agricultural land and stairways to access one section from the a lower ground. This also became a part of element that was considered during the construction of the whole area of Machu Picchu (Peterson, 103). Some of structures found in these surroundings known as collapas or granaries were used for storage of grains and coca which was cultivated in these terraces.
In the other side of the Machu Picchu is the Huayna Picchu or the young peak which can be accessed through a system of steep stone pavement. Some of these pavements have been carved from large sections of granite rocks which were found on the ground.
Another significant architecture of the Machu Picchu is the intihuaftana or the hitching post of the sun which consists of a column of well placed stones. These stones forms what looks like a majestic piano. At the onset of the winter, the Incas through their priests would hold a ceremony in this stone so as to tie the sun and prevent it from disappearing.
Other features
The Incas had mastered the technology of constructing one and two storey buildings of a rectangular construction. The means used to reach the second stories still remains a puzzle but it is thought it could have by means of ropes as there were no strong trees to make ladders. Another conspicuous aspect of Inca construction is the use of irregular shaped stones to construct well polished structures (Mann, Crehore, 87). However, at some portions the architects applied the use of regular shaped stones which were specially cut from massive structures of rocks.
The watch tower is located just near the main gate to the settlement area. Incas used this to keep watch from their enemies. It consists of a fortified building with three walls and section of windows. From this watchtower, it was easy to see both the settlement and agricultural areas and other area around the Machu Picchu. There is an upper cemetery is located next to a ritual rock where offerings were made for the dead (Burger, Salazar, 71). According to Inca tradition, rituals were performed to the remains of the dead before being buried at selected parts in the surrounding. The main temple is located at the northern side of the sacred square near another temple which is referred to as the temple of three windows was a significant building used for worship.
Another distinct architecture in this site is the Royal mausoleum, which is located adjacent to the main gate, the main castle, sun temple, the watch tower, temples, and the water conveying ducts stairs, all of which were carefully carved out of stone. The mausoleum contains a massive rock which bears part of the temple of the sun. This is the place where the Incas came to worship their god and give ceremonial offerings as a sign of last respect to the mummies of their leaders and high ranking officers of this kingdom (Bingham, 90).
There is a street known as street of the fountains which is situated near the southern part of the Machu Picchu between the Royal palace and the temple of the sun. It has ponds which were used to store water from a holy spring. All the steps of the staircases in the Machu Picchu can total to approximate three thousand steps.
In summary, the significance of this old city shows the wisdom of ashlars architecture of the 1500 AD. From its structure and location, there is some evidence that the Machu Picchu was built as a palace which also acted as a religious capital.
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