This Day in History:
Machu Picchu
Is 'Discovered' July 24, 1911 Searching for the famous "lost" cities
of the Inca empire in Peru, American
archeologist Hiram Bingham and his team laid
eyes upon the ancient settlement for the first time. Guided by locals and an 11-year-old boy,
the team scaled the mountain ridge of Machu
Picchu ("Old Peak" in the
Quechua language). The multi-level site
extends over five miles. Thought to have been a summer
retreat for Inca leaders, its many
levels are connected by more
than 3,000 stone steps. Since its "discovery" by the
American team, Machu Picchu
has become one of the world's
top tourist destinations. More than 300,000
people travel to the
ancient marvel
every year.