Well known structures - Machu Picchu - Information for small kids
Machu what now? This sounds like the name of the hero in one or other game, but it is not, Let learn more about this impressive structure left behind for us to enjoy.
- What is Machu Picchu also called?
- Where do you see this and when was it discoverd?
- What does it mean if something is considered 'one of the seven wonders of the world'?
- Which civilization build this structure?
- How many structures and steps are here?
- Name the types of structures you will find.
- Why was Machu Picchu built?
- What protects the structures from earthquake damage?
In 1572 these structures were abandoned after the Spanish arrived in Peru.
In 1911 Machu Picchu was re-discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingam III. The world were unaware of this site and it was only a handful of locals that knew about it. The team that was brought in by Hiram started excavating from the site and they found more than 40 000 relics including mummies, jewelry, statures and bones.
30% of Macchu Picchu has been 'upgraded' and reconstructed to its former glory, that people have a better idea of what it looked like. Yearly, thousands of tourists visit this site.
In 1983 it became a world heritage site and in 2007 it was voted one of the seven wonders of the world. If you want to read more about other wonders of the world, you can read here.
Machu Picchu was built in a typical Inca style, with beautiful, polished dry-stone walls of quarried granite stone.
What makes this site more unique is the fact that the Incas did not use draft animals or tools or the wheel - it is a mystery how these massive blocks were moved from one place to another and this magnificent site built.
There are enough terraces and spring water that the people living here could grow enough food four times the amount they needed.
The Incas build a road to Machu Picchu and many tourist goes on this hike that can take 3-5 days.
The Machu Picchu site is divided in an urban area and an agricultural area. With an upper town area where royalty lived and temples built and a lower town area that included workers quarters and warehouses.
Watch the video for fun and when you are done, te-tell the story in your own words. (Nobody tells the story, so you will have to watch, use your imagination and tell what you think happened.)
