US Geological Society suggests that the Incas decided to build their sanctuary where several geological faults are located.
Normally, a flat and stable terrain that offers a solid foundation would be chosen.
However, they chose a different option deliberately.
Using satellite imagery and field measurements, the network of faults and fissures was mapped.
667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b
Two of the faults formed a cross where Machu Picchu is located.
Several buildings, staircases and urban areas of Machu Picchu, as well as agricultural fields, were built oriented to these faults.
667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b
81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a
2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d
0a5e807a-f77a-46a1-a1c5-87d442739bbf
Rualdo Menegat of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil claims that the chosen area offered the Incas a large number of cracks, and made their work cutting stone easier.
667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b
81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a
2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d
The structures in the city are built of stone and were precisely carved to fit tightly together without the need for mortar.
81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a
c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5
3be0a2c1-3838-4258-be88-26c6b61b61dd
1c7b3ea0-96a9-4acc-9ca7-6ba7fd609d21
4aea5477-8600-410d-a128-721ec875e42f
The buildings were built to withstand earthquakes.
c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5
During an earthquake, their stones move in different directions, and then return to their place, saving the building from destruction.
1c7b3ea0-96a9-4acc-9ca7-6ba7fd609d21
4aea5477-8600-410d-a128-721ec875e42f
Builders had to drag stones up the mountain, since the Incas did not use the wheel.
81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a
The network also served as a water system.
Tectonic faults sent melt and rainwater directly into the citadel, saving the need for canals.
667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b
81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a
2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d
0a5e807a-f77a-46a1-a1c5-87d442739bbf
Other experts on Inca culture argue that the location of Machu Picchu is related to their religious beliefs, and the need for a high defensible area.
Historians and archaeologists agree that the Incas had sufficient knowledge and skills to determine whether a place was suitable for a city.
667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b
In constructing Machu Picchu, the Incas used the “royal cubit”measurement.
54 cm
, and the “regular cubit”.
42 cm
da3e8b31-25b6-40b5-a1b9-64ddaaf3d918
Machu Picchu was used as an observatory.
The Intihuatana sun stone, located on the altar of the Temple of the Sun at the top of the pyramid.
[3be0]. , acted as an astronomical clock and was used in Incan ceremonies.
c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5

Warning: these questons and answers are not all representative of the way questions will be asked and answered in the pilot, because some questions are compound and some answers do not include citations.

Q: Where would people normally build a city?
A: a flat and stable terrain that offers a solid foundation [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b]

Q: Where did the US Geological Survey suggest the Incas built Machu Picchu?
A: where several geological faults are located. [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b]

Q: What did satellite imagery and field measurements find?
A: A network of faults and fissures [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b]

Q: At what point is Machu Picchu located?
A: At the point where two faults cross [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b, 81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a, 2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d, 0a5e807a-f77a-46a1-a1c5-87d442739bbf]

Q: What indicates that the Incas were aware of this cross?
A: Several buildings, staircases and urban areas of Machu Picchu, as well as agricultural fields, were built oriented to these faults. [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b, 81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a, 2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d, 0a5e807a-f77a-46a1-a1c5-87d442739bbf]

Q: Why did the Incas choose this are according to Rualdo Menegat of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil?
A: the chosen area offered the Incas a large number of cracks, and made their work cutting stone easier. [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b, 81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a, 2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d]

Q: Describe how the buildings were constructed.
A: The structures in the city are built of stone and were precisely carved to fit tightly together without the need for mortar. [81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a, c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5, 3be0a2c1-3838-4258-be88-26c6b61b61dd, 1c7b3ea0-96a9-4acc-9ca7-6ba7fd609d21, 4aea5477-8600-410d-a128-721ec875e42f]

Q: What common means of transportation did the Incans not use?
A: The wheel [81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a]

Q: What could the buildings withstand?
A: Earthquakes [c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5]

Q: How did they withstand earthquakes?
A: the stones move in different directions, and then return to their place, saving the building from destruction. [1c7b3ea0-96a9-4acc-9ca7-6ba7fd609d21, 4aea5477-8600-410d-a128-721ec875e42f]

Q: What else did the tectonic network supply and how?
A: Water, the tectonic faults sent melt and rainwater directly into the citadel, saving the need for canals. [667c2508-0d33-4cb4-89fb-03d348047b3b, 81c055db-df8f-43fa-8296-3c1b93e79b2a, 2d46f479-f21d-4822-89f2-fce0d8cbd07d, 0a5e807a-f77a-46a1-a1c5-87d442739bbf]

Q: What measurements were used?
A: the “royal cubit”measurement (54 cm), and the “regular cubit” (42 cm). [da3e8b31-25b6-40b5-a1b9-64ddaaf3d918]

Q: How was the Temple of the Sun pyramid used?
A: An observatory [3be0a2c1-3838-4258-be88-26c6b61b61dd]A: An astronomical clock [3be0a2c1-3838-4258-be88-26c6b61b61dd, c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5]

Q: What is the name of the sun stone?
A: Intihuatana sun stone [3be0a2c1-3838-4258-be88-26c6b61b61dd, c92352e0-9389-4b90-8543-cd49d34a7fc5]