Does it last so many centuries and now Machu Picchu falls?

2001/03/12 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Geologia
• Historia

New Scientist magazine has announced that Machu Picchu, a prestigious city of Inca culture, is about to fall. According to the studies of Japanese geologists, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is sliding downhill.

Machu Picchu means "old peak" and the name of the mountain that appears at the bottom of the photograph is Huayna Picchu, "young peak". These wonderful stone constructions that form the city have awakened the imagination of several researchers who believe that of the 173 skeletons found in the cemetery, 150 are female. They say that at the end of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu was the refuge of a selection of women who fled from the Spanish rulers.

According to the evidence found, this culture is, among others, very advanced in astronomy, agriculture and architecture. In addition, it is believed that it was a sacred place to worship the gods, since the two walls surrounded it and the main building is a temple in homage to the sun.

This mysterious city, built at 2,300 meters, remained hidden in the jungle for 700 years, until in 1911 it was discovered by a history professor at Yale University. Since then, the site has been visited by numerous archaeologists and has long been one of the most visited places in the world, with more than 1,000 tourists daily. In addition, to facilitate access, there are two trains and road and tourists can purchase the certificate that have been the Machu Picchun.

Now, due to tourist floods, researchers have discovered that the rear slope is moving a centimeter below a month. Damage already appears, for example, a distortion line from north to south can be seen inside the city and buildings along the line present damaged structures. Warn that if it is not solved, Machu Picchu can fall on the slope.