8.3 Theories on Machu Picchu's purpose and abandonment
3 min read•july 25, 2024
Machu Picchu's purpose remains a mystery, with theories ranging from royal estate to religious center. Evidence supports the royal estate idea, with fine stonework, luxury goods, and a small population capacity pointing to an exclusive retreat for Inca nobility.
The site's abandonment likely stemmed from multiple factors. The disrupted Inca networks, while decimated the population. , , and loss of royal support may have also played roles in Machu Picchu's downfall.
Theories on Machu Picchu's Purpose
Theories of Machu Picchu's purpose
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- proposed Machu Picchu functioned as retreat for Inca nobility
- High-quality architecture and artifacts support this theory (fine stonework, precious metals)
- Limited capacity suggests exclusive use by small elite group
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- Emphasizes site's spiritual significance with numerous temples and ritual spaces
- Structures align with astronomical events (solstices, equinoxes)
- served as astronomical clock for royal rituals
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- Machu Picchu possibly served as regional administrative hub
- Evidence includes storage facilities and
- Managed local resources and trade in the area
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- Strategic location and defensive features suggest military purpose
- Watchtowers and steep cliffs provided natural protection
- Less accepted due to lack of typical military structures (barracks, armories)
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- Extensive agricultural terraces indicate focus on crop cultivation
- Diverse microclimates within site allowed for experimental agriculture
- Terraces used for growing various crops (maize, potatoes)
Evidence for royal estate hypothesis
- Architectural evidence
- Fine stonework typical of Inca imperial architecture found throughout
- Central plaza and ceremonial structures indicate elite spaces
- Intihuatana stone likely used for royal astronomical rituals
- Artifact discoveries
- High-quality ceramics and metal objects associated with nobility unearthed
- Exotic goods from distant parts of empire found on site (shells, feathers)
- Limited evidence of large-scale food production or storage suggests non-permanent residence
- Historical context
- Located in sacred valley, region favored by Inca rulers
- Proximity to other known royal estates (Ollantaytambo, Pisac)
- Aligns with accounts of Inca Pachacuti's building projects
- Skeletal remains
- Analysis suggests population of servants and specialized craftspeople
- Absence of large permanent population consistent with royal retreat
- Bone studies indicate diverse diet with access to luxury foods (meat, coca)
- Limited size and capacity
- Site supported small population, suitable for royal entourage
- Lack of large-scale public spaces found in major Inca cities (Cusco)
- Intimate scale of buildings and plazas suggest private, elite use
Reasons for Machu Picchu's abandonment
- Spanish conquest
- Inca Empire collapsed following arrival of Spanish conquistadors (1532)
- Inca administrative and supply networks disrupted
- Possible deliberate abandonment to avoid Spanish discovery and looting
- Epidemics
- European diseases introduced, decimating Inca population (smallpox, influenza)
- Maintenance of site compromised due to loss of skilled workers
- Rapid depopulation of region as diseases spread unchecked
- Civil war
- Internal conflict between Inca factions weakened empire (Huáscar vs. Atahualpa)
- Political power shifted away from region
- Resources and labor needed to maintain site disrupted by conflict
- Climate change
- Evidence of prolonged drought in region during this period
- Agricultural productivity and water supply potentially impacted
- Site became less sustainable or desirable for habitation
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- Death or deposition of sponsoring ruler led to abandonment
- Political priorities shifted under new leadership
- Resources reallocated to other projects or regions deemed more important
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- Theories suggest planned, ceremonial abandonment
- Linked to Inca beliefs about cycles of renewal and rebirth
- Explains relative lack of valuable artifacts left behind at site
Key Terms to Review (17)
Administrative center theory: The administrative center theory proposes that certain archaeological sites, like Machu Picchu, served primarily as hubs for governance, administration, and resource management rather than solely as religious or ceremonial centers. This theory suggests that these locations were crucial in the organization and control of surrounding territories, facilitating the Inca Empire's complex political structure.
Agricultural research station theory: Agricultural research station theory suggests that certain archaeological sites, particularly those like Machu Picchu, served primarily as centers for agricultural experimentation and development. This theory proposes that these locations were strategically chosen for their fertile land and favorable climate, allowing for the cultivation of diverse crops and the testing of innovative farming techniques to support the Inca civilization.
Agricultural terraces: Agricultural terraces are leveled sections of land built into a slope, designed to create flat areas for farming and to manage water runoff. This technique allows for effective use of land in hilly or mountainous regions, preventing soil erosion and maximizing agricultural productivity. By reducing the impact of rainfall and allowing for better irrigation, agricultural terraces play a crucial role in sustainable farming practices, especially in areas like Machu Picchu.
Civil War: A civil war is a conflict between organized groups within the same country or state, often aiming to take control of the government, achieve independence, or change political policies. This type of war can lead to significant social, economic, and cultural upheaval, deeply affecting the nation’s history and development. The dynamics of a civil war often involve factions fighting for power and can result in substantial loss of life and disruption of societal norms.
Climate change: Climate change refers to significant and lasting alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system. This phenomenon can lead to shifts in weather patterns, impacting ecosystems and human societies. In relation to ancient sites, like Machu Picchu, understanding climate change is crucial for deciphering the reasons behind its purpose and eventual abandonment.
Cultural Heritage: Cultural heritage refers to the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations. This encompasses monuments, objects, traditions, and languages that provide a sense of identity and continuity, playing a critical role in the preservation and management of historical sites and cultural resources.
Epidemics: Epidemics refer to the rapid spread of infectious diseases across a large number of individuals within a specific region or population during a short period. These outbreaks can have profound impacts on societies, influencing population dynamics, health policies, and even economic conditions. Understanding epidemics is crucial in examining how diseases may have affected civilizations throughout history, including those related to the rise and fall of significant archaeological sites.
Hiram Bingham: Hiram Bingham was an American academic, explorer, and politician known for his role in the rediscovery of Machu Picchu in 1911. His findings brought global attention to the Incan civilization and fueled interest in archaeology and exploration in South America.
Incan Architecture: Incan architecture refers to the unique building styles and techniques used by the Inca civilization, which thrived in the Andean region of South America from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. This architectural style is characterized by its impressive stone construction, advanced engineering methods, and the harmonious integration of structures with their natural environment. Notable examples of Incan architecture, such as Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuamán, highlight the civilization's achievements in urban planning and monumental construction, raising questions about their purposes and eventual abandonment.
Intihuatana stone: The intihuatana stone is a ritual stone associated with the Inca civilization, believed to be a ceremonial object used for astronomical observations and religious purposes. This prominent feature is often found at sacred sites, such as Machu Picchu, where it is thought to have played a role in connecting the Inca with their deities and celestial events, highlighting the advanced engineering and architectural skills of the Incas.
Loss of royal patronage: Loss of royal patronage refers to the decline or absence of support from the ruling elite, particularly monarchs, for cultural, religious, or architectural projects. This shift can have significant implications for the maintenance and significance of sites like Machu Picchu, especially when considering its purpose and eventual abandonment.
Military fortress theory: Military fortress theory suggests that Machu Picchu was primarily built as a fortified military outpost to defend the Inca Empire against potential invasions. This idea proposes that its strategic location and robust construction were meant to provide both protection and control over the surrounding territories, especially during times of conflict. The theory emphasizes the role of Machu Picchu in the broader context of military strategy and defense mechanisms within the Inca civilization.
Religious center theory: The religious center theory suggests that Machu Picchu served primarily as a spiritual and religious hub for the Inca civilization, rather than just a royal estate or military outpost. This theory posits that the site's unique architecture, strategic location, and alignment with astronomical events played a significant role in its function as a ceremonial site, reflecting the religious beliefs and practices of the Inca people.
Ritual abandonment: Ritual abandonment refers to the deliberate and symbolic cessation of use or function of a place or object, often tied to cultural beliefs and practices. In archaeological contexts, it can signal significant shifts in societal values or environmental conditions that prompt communities to cease their traditional activities at certain sites, reflecting a deeper cultural or spiritual transformation.
Royal estate theory: Royal estate theory suggests that Machu Picchu functioned as a royal estate, serving as a retreat or residence for Inca royalty, particularly Emperor Pachacuti. This concept connects the site's architectural features and agricultural practices to the idea of it being a luxurious getaway, complete with agricultural terraces and ceremonial spaces that catered to the elite, highlighting the connection between political power and land use in the Inca Empire.
Site management: Site management refers to the strategies and practices used to oversee archaeological sites, ensuring their preservation, research integrity, and responsible public access. Effective site management balances the needs of excavation, conservation, and tourism, aiming to protect the site from damage while facilitating academic study and public education.
Spanish Conquest: The Spanish Conquest refers to the period during the 16th century when Spanish explorers and conquistadors invaded and colonized large parts of the Americas, leading to the fall of powerful indigenous empires such as the Aztec and Inca. This event significantly impacted the cultural, social, and economic landscapes of the New World and laid the groundwork for European colonialism in the region.