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The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu not only
preserves geological formations and archaeological remains within
the Sanctuary, but also the unique flora and fauna and spectacular
landscape of the surrounding woods. The Historical Sanctuary of
Machu Picchu is an invaluable archaeological discovery, symbolizing
both Peru and the Andean region. It is the natural habitat of wild
flora and fauna, and helps protect the archaeological remains placed
inside.
The famous mountain you can see in front of the citadel, appearing
in most of the usual vistas of this place, is called Wayna Picchu or
Waynapicchu ("The Young Mountain"). Unfortunately, the original
names of these sites are unknown. Machu Picchu, Wayna Picchu, and
some other names used today are contemporary, probably having been
given by the farmers who settled in the area before Bingham reached
it in 1911.
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Machu Picchu is a complex word
deriving from machu:
"old" or "ancient", and picchu: "crest" or "mountain";
therefore, Machu Picchu or Machupicchu may be
translated as "The Old Mountain" |
