Page 78 - Joe and Laurie's Anniversary Cruise
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Machu Picchu was built in the 1450s during the reign of Inca emperor
Pachucuti (1438-1471), a part of the estate of the unifying king of the
Inca civilization.
Machu Picchu is thought to have been either a country estate for the
emperor, or an important place of worship. The exact purpose of the
site is still unknown.
The site is separated into an urban and agricultural sector, with clear
structures that demarcate areas of important religious and royal
purposes. Vast agricultural terraces surround much of the city. The
terraces would have been used to produce food to support around
1,000 inhabitants. The terraces also played an important role in
providing efficient drainage to mitigate the impact of landslides and
earthquakes.
Most of the city is constructed using the classic dry polished rock
method of placing stone on stone without mortar, known as ashlar.
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