Final answer:
Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its significant historical and architectural value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu was discovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Positioned high in the Andes Mountains, nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, the site is a testament to Incan architectural prowess, with its polished stone structures fitted together without mortar. It was built around 1450 and thought to be abandoned by the Incas roughly a century later. Identified initially as a ceremonial center and royal fortification, Machu Picchu's isolation helped preserve it from destruction during the Spanish conquest of South America. UNESCO recognized the immense historical and architectural value of Machu Picchu, designating it as a World Heritage Site in 1983.