Product Description

Machu Picchu is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, yet it remains a mystery. Even the most basic questions have long remained unanswered: What was its meaning and why was it built in such a difficult location? This full-color book examines Machu Picchu from the perspectives of sacred landscape and archaeoastronomy. Using information gathered from historical, archaeological, and ethnographical sources, the author demonstrates that the site is situated in the center of sacred mountains and is also associated with a sacred river, which is in turn symbolically linked with the sun's passage. Taken together, these features have meant that Machu Picchu formed a cosmological, hydrological and sacred geographical center for a vast region. Key architectural features at Machu Picchu and nearby sites formed parts of this ceremonial center, where economic, political and religious factors combined to lead to their construction in one of the most rugged areas of Peru.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #798585 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 200 pages

Review
When I visit large archaeological parks, I must admit even I (total archaeology geek) sometimes get what I think of as "temple blindness". It's hot, there is a lot to see, my feet hurt, and pretty soon in my mind all the buildings run into one another into one big pile of rocks.

That's why when a really great tour book shows up in the press, I'm grateful. Just such a tour book is the fourth edition of Johan Reinhard's book from the Cotsen Institute called Machu Picchu: Exploring an Ancient Sacred Center.

The book has lots of engaging prose detailing the history and current archaeological understanding of Machu Picchu and the Inca empire who built it. Folktales, history, legends, architecture, agriculture and astronomy of the Inca are profiled, and side trips explore nearby sites like Ollantaytambo and Cuzco, and, for those brave enough to attempt it, pieces of the Inka Trail.

The size of the book is small and compact, perfect for sticking into your back pack. The cover is full color and plastic-coated to be safe from liquid spills and wear and tear from riding alongside your trowel (Although--maybe people don't travel with trowels these days). It's one of those book covers with a spare flap on both the front and back to mark your place, always a good plus for hiking.

The photographs are excellent and detailed--to be frank, I don't think you can take many bad pictures of Machu Picchu, but these are exceptional. Machu Picchu: Exploring an Ancient Sacred Center is worth getting even if you can't make it to Machu Picchu this year. Images of the incredibly fine Inca architecture--built so well they're still resistant to earthquakes and El Niño weather five hundred years later or better--never fail to amaze me. Exploring Machu Picchu

So, if you're planning an expedition to Peru to take a look at Inca sites (and of course if you are you wouldn't miss Machu Picchu), Reinhard's book would be a terrific companion, keeping you on target to understand the ruins and learn something about the Inca culture as well.

And if you're not planning such an expedition, Reinhard's book will convince you that you ought to put it on your wish list. -- "A Smartly Bound Guide to the Inca Palace" About.com, 2008 (by K. Kris Hirst)

About the Author
by Johan Reinhard

Customer Reviews

Machu Picchu Homework
This book is essential homework for the person preparing to visit the Machu Picchu Sanctuary in Peru. You can benefit from learning how to visit the ruin in a self-guided fashion and from cross-checking your guides info to authenticate what she/he are telling you. It also has sufficient info to help you understand what Machu Picchu is all about, the role of Hiram Bingham, the local people who led him to the site in 1911 and it helps set the stage for reading other books like MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. One should supplement this guide with the International Travel Map, Cuzco Region - Machu Picchu - Peru 1:110,000