Strange Artifact Recovered At Machu Picchu Exposes One Of History's Darkest Practices

Adventurers have squandered many lives and fortunes tracking down lost civilizations, and despite every fake and failure, the rare successes make all the risks worthwhile. That was certainly the case for these stunning South American ruins. Since their modern rediscovery, thousands of visitors have taken in the stone monoliths and awe-inspiring vistas. But now that the community's macabre origins are becoming impossible to ignore, what does the future hold for this mountaintop oasis?

Andes vista

Every year, thousands of tourists from around the world flock to the Andes Mountains in Peru. They spend days traversing the rugged terrain — not an ideal vacation for most. But the trek is all worth it in the end. Atop the mountain range, the travelers reach the iconic skyline of Machu Picchu. This breathtaking settlement may take the cake as the most beautiful sight in the world. Oddly enough, however, history entirely forgot its existence for centuries.

Origins

The famed Inca Empire constructed Machu Picchu in the 15th century. Fifty miles north of their capital city of Cuzco, the site displayed their immense wealth and technology. The Inca people had no written language, so much of the history and understanding of daily life is based on hypotheses and physical evidence uncovered by archaeologists. Of course, a city as prosperous as Machu Picchu attracted more foes than the Incas could handle—that much we do know.

Pizarro's destruction

Seeking gold and Catholic converts, Spaniard Francisco Pizarro swept through South America in 1532. While the native peoples vastly outnumbered the conquistadors, Pizarro had guns and horses on his side. The Pizarro and his men ruthlessly sacked Cuzco and executed Emperor Atahualpa. Nearly all of the Inca civilization lay in ruins, and yet the soldiers never got anywhere near Machu Picchu. The city was already abandoned and forgotten.

Tracking down the lost city

In fact, the remote settlement may have remained a mystery forever if not for the efforts of Hiram Bingham III. An esteemed Yale historian, Bingham left the classroom behind to chase down a myth he couldn't get out of his mind. Maps and records saved from the Incas' destruction indicated a city high up in the mountains. Many claimed the site was lost or fictional, but Bingham trudged through jungle and mountains to find out.