Final answer:
Machu Picchu was constructed by the Incas around 1450 and later abandoned after the Spanish invasion. It's renowned for its advanced stonework, with large stones fitted together without mortar, and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Today, it's a significant archeological site embodying the expertise of Inca architecture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction to Machu Picchu
The Incan city of Machu Picchu was built roughly around the year 1450 by the Inca Empire. Discovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, this architectural wonder is situated at an altitude of about 8,000 feet, nestled between two mountain peaks in the Andes Mountains of present-day Peru. Its construction is particularly notable for its exquisite stonework, using polished stones some weighing over fifty tons that were fitted together perfectly without the use of mortar. Scholars understand Machu Picchu as a ceremonial site, perhaps a royal retreat for emperor Pachacuti Yupanqui and a religious sanctuary that housed the priesthood.
Unfortunately, about a century after its construction, Machu Picchu was abandoned as the Spanish invaded South America, leading to the fall of the Inca Empire. Despite its disappearance from historical records until the 20th century, this iconic site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 because of its historical significance and architectural brilliance. Today, Machu Picchu remains an iconic symbol of the Inca Empire and an essential monument within the field of historical studies, illustrating the sophisticated stonemasonry and architectural prowess of the Inca civilization.
For those interested in observing more of Incan art and architecture, resources like the British Museum's World Cultures collection provide extensive examples and descriptions.