Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu: built in the 1400s in what is now Peru, and “undiscovered by the outside world” until 1911, its “construction, purpose, and abandonment make it one of the most mysterious and fascinating places on Earth.” This attractive, comprehensive volume explores the intriguing and sometimes controversial history of Machu Picchu’s discovery and excavation and offers a wealth of information about Incan culture. Budding historians especially will appreciate the scope of the material, from the Inca’s engineering of the granite royal estate to learning about Hiram Bingham, the Yale professor who made the discovery, and the legal issues surrounding the excavations. “Digging Deeper” spreads discuss specific archaeological findings, while sidebars highlight fascinating details (“The unusual artifacts smuggled out of Peru in 1914 could not be documented or publicly displayed. . . . officials in Peru could not find out about these . . . items.”). Period illustrations and photographs bring readers back in time, and plentiful, striking color images capture the awesome beauty of this “gem in the sky” from many perspectives. Back matter includes a time line, “Digging Up the Facts” summary of key points, glossary, additional resources, source notes, and an index.