2015-05-31: Machu Picchu: The Temple District (2/5)

Overview

Below an image that puts the buildings into place. Again, Hiram Bingham assigned the name to the buildings — the real function of the buildings is unknown.

Overview
Overview

Temple of the Sun

The building is only building with a rounded shape. It might have been used by the Incan astronomers or for ritual purposes. A rock inside the structure might have served as altar. During the the June solstice, the rising sun shines directly through one of the  windows onto the rock which indicates a purposefully alignment between sun, window, and rock. The imperial residence is thought to be right next to it.

The building itself is not accessible to the general public.

 

Machu Picchu: Dwellings and the Temple of the Sun (Round Building in the Center of the Picture)
Machu Picchu: Dwellings and the Temple of the Sun (Round Building in the Center of the Picture)

 

Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun

 

Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun

 

Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun

 

Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Temple of the Sun

 

Machu Picchu: Window of the Temple of the Sun

 

Royal Tomb

Just below the temple of the sun, there is a natural cave that was carved out. Inside, there are niches and an altar. There was no evidence that a mummified body was ever stored there, so the name is purely speculative.

Machu Picchu: Royal Tomb beneath the Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Royal Tomb beneath the Temple of the Sun

 

Ceremonial Baths

Next to the temple of the sun, there runs a series of 16 connected baths cascading down. These are part of the elaborate water system of the Inca city.

Machu Picchu: Drainage System (Ceremonial Baths)

 

Machu Picchu: Ritual Bath or maybe less glamorous, a part of the Drainage System
Machu Picchu: Ritual Bath or maybe less glamorous, a part of the Drainage System

 

Machu Picchu: Drainage System
Machu Picchu: Drainage System

Pictures around the Temple of the Sun

 

Machu Picchu: Buildings above the Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Buildings above the Temple of the Sun

 

Machu Picchu: Perfectly fitting Stones
Machu Picchu: Perfectly fitting Stones

 

Machu Picchu: Stone Wall of a Building
Machu Picchu: Stone Wall of a Building

 

Machu Picchu: Walls of perfectly fitting Stones
Machu Picchu: Wall of perfectly fitting Stones

 

Machu Picchu: Stone Wall
Machu Picchu: Stone Wall

 

Machu Picchu: Terraces and Buildings next to the Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu: Terraces and Buildings next to the Temple of the Sun (Temple of the Sun is to the Left of the Picture)

 

The House of the Inca

The house of the Inca is a complex of buildings thought to be used by royal nobility, i.e. the Inca king whenever he stayed in Machu Picchu.  As with the purpose of all buildings, this is merely speculation.

An interesting detail are the water mirrors in some house. Archaeologists believe that they were used for ritual or spiritual purposes.

Machu Picchu: House of the Inca (House Keeping left its tools…)

 

Machu Picchu: Felix in the House of the Inca (and his Machu Picchu Map)
Machu Picchu: Felix in the House of the Inca (and his Machu Picchu Map)

 

Machu Picchu: Water Mirrors inside the Royal Enclosure/House of the Inca King

 

Machu Picchu: House of the Inca

Roof Fixations

The following couple of pictures show the infrastructure used to fix the wooden roofs on top of the buildings. Felix and myself learned about this the day before in the Museo Manuel Chávez Ballon.

Machu Picchu: Building with Pegs to fix the Roof
Machu Picchu: Building with Pegs to fix the Roof

 

Machu Picchu: House Wall with Pegs to Fix the Roof
Machu Picchu: House Wall with Pegs to Fix the Roof

 

Machu Picchu: House Roof and Lugs to Fix Roof
Machu Picchu: House Roof and Lugs to Fix Roof