MACHU PICCHU WAS BUILT FOR PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI

WELCOME TO THIS POST!

FLOWERS FOR MY READERS FROM MACHU PICCHU!

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Source: wallygrom, CC BY SA 2.0. Flickr

PACHACUTI, A BRILLIANT INCAN LEADER I WOULD LIKE TO MEET!

 THE BLOG HOP PROMPT FOR FTSF.

If I could have dinner with anyone in history, it would be … Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, also known as Pachacutec.

Although I don’t suppose his entourage would let me get near him, and besides I don’t know his language! Still, I can dream!

This dinner could provide some lively conversation, because I have several questions I want to ask the man.

Some of these questions are the following:

What did it feel like to be so successful in his time? After all, his names mean “He who shakes the earth” – “with honor”

Another question would be: Did he choose the site for Machu Picchu, or was it recommended to him by the priests?

And another question: Where did he find the builders with such a high level of knowledge of hydraulic engineering? 

For those of you who have never heard of this person, here are a few highlights.

PACHACUTI OR PACHACUTEC (1438 - +/-1472)

He was the ninth ruler of the Kingdom of Cuzco in Peru, and the initial creator of the Tawantinsuyu, as the Inca Empire was called.

In addition to defeating the Chancas who tried to invade Cuzco, he extended the limits of the Incan influence, thus initiating the expansion of this huge Empire that finally became the largest in pre-Columbian America.

He was also a great builder and promoted the redesigning of Cuzco into a real capital city. The great Coricancha Sun Temple and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman were both designed and built during his reign.

(See my Blog on Cuzco).

He is also the promoter of Machu Picchu, which is thought to have been built as his private retreat.

THE GLORY OF MACHU PICCHU!

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Source: icelight, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons

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Source: robennals, CC BY 2.0. Flickr

He created the administrative structure of the huge Inca Empire, with its road systems, royal messengers and store houses. And last, but certainly not least, he was instrumental in instituting the famous terraces or “andenes” for the expansion of the agricultural production on which the empire was based. 

(See my Blog on the agricultural andenes or terraces).

He was also a poet! Interesting man, no doubt, although I think he was looked on as a god in his time.

THE HYDRAULICS OF MACHU PICCHU.

A WATER DUCT

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Source: robennals, CC BY 2.0. Flickr

WATER CHANNELS

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 Source:  Shashi Bellamkonda, CC BY 2.0. Flickr

Quite apart from the general features of Machu Picchu, of world fame, the hydraulics of this city are really incredible.

The main feature is the “Stairway of Fountains” which includes 16 interconnected fountains, the first of which is placed next to the residence of the Inca.

The water is provided by a pair of rain fed springs that are located about half a mile away from the outer wall of the city. A stone-lined canal brings the water to the urban area, and there it enters the cascade of the 16 fountains. 

There are drainage systems installed, and also ways to conduct the water to various fountains that are placed at strategic places throughout the city.

There is no doubt that the hydraulic system was planned before the buildings were constructed and it is this factor that has allowed this World Wonder site to be preserved through the centuries.

I think modern urban planning could well copy this strategy! At Machu Picchu nothing was left to improvisation. The waterworks are sensational!

WATER FOUNTAIN NUMBER TWO OF THE SIXTEEN FOUNTAINS

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 Source: Yandi, CC BY 2.0. Flickr

ANOTHER FOUNTAIN

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Source: Pedrassani, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons

AND ANOTHER VIEW OF A FOUNTAIN

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Source: Alexson Scheppa, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

FINAL WORDS.

I hope my dinner companion, Pachacuti, will not be too overwhelmed with my interest in the hydraulics of his time! I would certainly like some answers, and so would many modern researchers, I think!

SPANISH VERSION

(This Blog is bilingual)

Este post es una respuesta a un desafío planteado por mi grupo de Blogueros y Blogueras.

En esta oportunidad había que elegir un personaje histórico ¡con quien me agradaría cenar!

Elegí Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, el constructor del gran Imperio Inca y además, el constructor de famosos lugares arqueológicos en los alrededores de Cusco, como el Templo del Sol y Sacsayhuamán. Además, impulsó la organizzación administrativa del Imperio y la agricultura sobre andenes 

(Ver mis Blogs anteriores sobre estos temas)

Pero quizás lo más importante es que fue el Inca que tenía su residencia privada en Machu Picchu, y sobre esta maravilla histórica me gustaría hacerle algunas preguntas.

Uno de los aspectos más interesantes de esta gran obra es sin duda la esmerada planificación de la distribución del agua.

En este sitio se observa una cuidadosa construcción al nivel de la más alta ingeniería hidráulica. 

Las fuentes de agua todavía funcionan en el lugar, y ha sido uno de los importantes factores que ha permitido la permanencia de esta maravilla a través de los siglos.

Me gustaría mucho tener la oportunidad de hacerle algunas preguntas a Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, específicamente sobre temas relacionados con la construcción de Machu Picchu.

En la actualidad hay arqueólogos dedicados a estudiar las novedosas características de las instalaciones hidráulicas que han permitido que esta maravilla permanezca en buen estado a través de los siglos.

Creo que a ellos también les interesaría mucho conocer el resultado de mis conversaciones con este genial líder de los Inca.

Espero les haya gustado este pòst!

More about similar topics in a future post.      Más sobre temas similares en un próximo post.

LANGUAGE TIPS FOR ENGLISH

Words that go together!  *  Save your breath  - * Come to terms with  - 

*  Go out of business   

LANGUAGE TIPS FOR SPANISH.

Expresiones de uso frecuente: * La necesidad hace maestros - * La risa es el mejor remedio  - * Lo pasado, pasaado está

How is your level of comprehension?     ¿Cómo está su nivel de comprensión?

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