Sharing The World Together

Machu Picchu (Old Peak) is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as the Lost City of the Incas, it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World. 100 Years ago this month it was (re)discovered and Peru is celebrating this joyous occasion with a special exhibition.

 

 

1 A view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

2 A view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco, The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan and Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer have been chosen to be among the modern-day seven Wonders of the World, the organizers of the competition said on July 7, 2007. The other four are Peru's Machu Picchu, the mountain settlement that symbolises the Incan empire, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/Files

3 A view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco in this November, 2003 file photo. The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan and Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer have been chosen to be among the modern-day seven Wonders of the World, the organizers of the competition said on July 7, 2007. The other four are Peru's Machu Picchu, the mountain settlement that symbolises the Incan empire, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/Files

4 A general view of Machu Picchu ruins April 1, 2010. The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is opened again after heavy rains cut off tourist accses to the ruins for two months. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo

5 Tourist visit the Machu Picchu ruins, April 1, 2010. The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was reopened after heavy rains cut off tourist access to the ruins for two months. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo

6 A llama stands in front of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco May 29, 2009. Picture taken May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

7 A view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco May 29, 2009. Picture taken May 29. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

8 Pphoto of the Inca citadel Machu Picchu in the Andean city of Cusco. Peru responded March 8, 2001 at suggestions by Japanese scientists that its world famous Inca city could collapse at any time, saying it had survived 500 years and people should stay calm.

10 A aerial view shows the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco November 3, 2010. Peru said on Friday that Yale University has agreed to return thousands of artifacts taken from the Machu Picchu archeological site in the Andes in the early 1900s, and the pact could end a bitter controversy. Picture taken November 3, 2010. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

11 A view shows part of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco November 3, 2010. Peru said on Friday that Yale University has agreed to return thousands of artifacts taken from the the Machu Picchu archeological site in the early 1900s, and the pact could end a bitter controversy. Picture taken November 3, 2010. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

12 Windows of Machu Picchu citadel are seen in Cuzco November 3, 2010. Peru said on Friday that Yale University has agreed to return thousands of artifacts taken from the the Machu Picchu archeological site in the early 1900s, and the pact could end a bitter controversy.
Picture taken November 3, 2010. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

13 Tourists rest near Inca's citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

14 A tourist walks past walls in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

15 Tourists touch the Intihuatana solar clock in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco as part of a belief that they will receive good energies from it December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

16 A tourist takes pictures through a window at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

17 A tourist jumps from a terrace at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

18 Tourists walk in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

19 A wall is seen at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco December 2, 2010. Peru will celebrate on July 2011, the first centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu with a huge exhibition after an agreement with Yale University to return thousands of artifacts taken from the archaeological site in the early 1900s, the Ministry of Culture said on Thursday. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

20 Artists perform during an Inca ceremony called Tinkay at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrates on Thursday the 100th year of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by U.S. adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

21 Artists perform during an Inca ceremony called Tinkay at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrates on Thursday 100 years of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by U.S. adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

22 Artists perform during celebrations at the main square in Cuzco, July 7, 2011. Peru celebrates on Thursday 100 years of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by U.S. adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

23 Artists perform during celebrations at the main square in Cuzco, July 7, 2011. Peru celebrates on Thursday 100 years of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by U.S. adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

24 Peru's President Alan Garcia walks through the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrates on Thursday 100 years since the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by U.S. adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

25 A model of a man from the Inca culture which is made of chocolate is displayed during a chocolate convention in Lima July 7, 2011. The three-day exhibition, which drew distributors from Latin America and chocolate sommeliers from Europe, featured organic dark chocolate candy bars, chocolate sushi and Machu Picchu sculptures carved out of the sweet stuff. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

26 People watch a lighting performance during a ceremony at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrates the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by U.S. adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu “The Lost City of the Incas” was elected as one of the 7th New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Ho/Andina Agency/

27 The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is seen during a lights show in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrated on Thursday the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by American adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

28 Performers attend a lighting show at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrated on Thursday the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by American adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Oscar Farje/Presidency/

29 Peru's President Alan Garcia (C), accompanied by authorities, attends a lighting performance at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrated on Thursday the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by American adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Oscar Farje/Andina Agency/

30 The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is seen during a lighting performance in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrated on Thursday the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by American adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout

31 People watch fireworks explode in the sky during celebrations at the main square in Cuzco July 7, 2011. Peru celebrated on Thursday the 100th anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu by American adventurer and archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, was elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World in July 2007. REUTERS/Andina AgencyHandout