The Mystery Behind Machu Picchu Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world, is a rare, historic site, that has escaped destruction for hundreds of years. It is an archaeological site that has remained a mystery ever since it was discovered. No one knows why it was built, what it was used for, or how it remained intact through the centuries. Even so, the mystery behind Machu Picchu can be concluded into two theories, being used as a ceremonial site or being a safe haven for the elite. The use of Machu Picchu has hindered scholars for centuries. Machu Picchu, a mysterious, pre-Columbian city, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, who at the time, was trying to uncover Vilcabamba, a city rumored to be filled with gold (“Machu Picchu is Built”). Machu Picchu was built by the Incas, the biggest empire in the Americas, at around 1400, and was predicted to be finished around 1450 (“Machu Picchu is Built”). Moreover, this evidence compelled many to` believe that its exclusiveness have protected it from destruction. Even so, no one knows exactly why Machu Picchu was constructed “In the midst of a tropical mountain forest on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes” (“Machu Picchu”). Additionally, the fact that it blends seamlessly into its surroundings, have helped prevent its discovery by mankind for centuries. Even after hundreds of years, no one knows precisely what Machu Picchu was used as, for it is a mystery in both history and architecture (Schuna). There are many