Our project was inspired by the unique and innovative tribes that built the world famous tourist site that is Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was voted one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and in this project we hope to discuss the rich history behind the sacred city. and the reason for the preservation of Machu Picchu by exploring its relationship with UNESCO and the Peruvian government. We would also like to try an get an insight into the minds of such an incredibly fascinating people by examining their breakthrough advances in the fields of medicine and construction. Machu Picchu was built in the 1400s by the Incas. Archaeologists have speculated that Machu Picchu was a temple or sanctuary for high priests and women who have been referred to as Virgins of the Sun. However, many believe due to recent research, that it was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, who ruled from 1438 until the early 1470’s. (Destination: Machu Picchu) The city is situated in the Peruvian Andes, approximately 2.450 m (8.038 ft) above sea level . The city was built near a rock quarry which can still be seen today. Researchers say that approximately 5,000 people must have worked to build Machu Picchu. However, it is interesting to note that according to archaeologists the ancient city could only accommodate 750 - 1,000 inhabitants and strangely there were only about 200 - 250 skeletons found. (Rediscover Machu Picchu) Construction They city of Machu Picchu is made up of about 140 buildings, most of which are houses, yet there are some temples, water fountains, food deposits, a guard house, and even a prison. The city was built using the dry stone technique, which means no mortar was used. “Some of the bricks are ... ... middle of paper ... ...ttner 85) , this meant that these transfusions were usually effective. Trepanning, another medical procedure pursued by the Incas involves cutting holes into the skull for medical purposes. This was done to alleviate fluid buildup in the brain and inflammation caused by head wounds. This was common on battlefields when warrior’s heads were often crushed by stone clubs (sommerville 102) Mental conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and physical problems like epilepsy and migraines are thought to also have been treated though trepanning ( Somervill 102). Trepanned skulls have been dated by archaeologists back to 400.b.c.e in areas of Incan civilization ( Somervill 102) In conclusion….. The Incas were extremely accomplished in the field of medicine for their time. Their knowledge or the nature around them helped them to overcome many medical feats.
The religious beliefs of the Aztec’s was bloody they believed they had to make many sacrifices to appease the gods. The sacrifices were an important aspect of the Aztec religion. At the root of these interesting rituals, were the beliefs that the gods needed to be nourished by human beings. This was accomplished through human blood. They did this by a practice called bloodletting. Bloodletting is intentionally harming and drawing blood from the body. Those who were higher in status within the Aztec religion were expected to give the most blood during these Aztec rituals.
They domesticated and developed the hundreds of varieties of corn, potatoes, cassava, and peanuts that now feed much of the world. They discovered the curative powers of quinine, the anesthetizing ability of coca, and the potency of a thousand other drugs that made modern medicine and pharmacology possible. The drugs together with their improved agriculture made possible the population explosion of the last several centuries. They developed and refined a form of democracy that has been haphazardly and inadequately adopted in many parts of the world. They were the true colonizers of America who cut the trails through the jungles and deserts, made the roads, and built the cities upon which modern America is based."
Phlebotomy or bloodletting was a treatment that was believed to cure nearly any ailment one had. It was believed that the patient would have a sickness stemming from a plethora, or overabundance of blood (History of Bloodletting 1). This was also assigned to one whose humors were out of balance. Bloodletting cured a wide arrangement of illnesses including acne, leprosy, plague, herpes, the flu, fever, nosebleeds, headaches, back pain, just about anything. Its earliest known practice was by Hippocrates himself to liberate relieve those who are possessed by demons. Besides mapping the blood vessels and snipping them (Galen 1) in certain places to cure patients, Trepanation invades a whole different territory. Trepanation involves making a hole into the skull to enhance one’s overall wellbeing while relieving pressure off the brain. This procedure was practiced by the Greeks and even dates as far as ...
The Incans used stone blocks to create prime structures without joining the stone blocks with mortar. These stones were sculpted to exactly fit together (Inca Art History, 2016). The final structures were stable due to the tight fit of the stones. Machu Picchu is a notable living example of the Incan architecture (Inca Art History, 2016).
Since then, Machu Picchu became the most tourist destination in Peru and one of the most important worldwide. Declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO and voted by millions as one of the Nine Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is without doubt the greatest heritage left by the ancient Incas.
The Aztecs were especially advanced when it came to math and the scientific thought process. Their number system was far ahead of other co-existing cultures. They
This research paper will begin by briefly introducing the Inca civilization. It will then chronologically identify the factors compromising the Inca’s complex society, discuss the findings, and conclude by offering the author’s interpretation of the research.
In fact, Native American medicine men belief is firmly grounded in age-old traditions, legends and teachings. Healing and medical powers have existed since the very beginning of time according to Native American stories. Consequently they have handed down the tribe's antediluvian legends, which i...
Machu Picchu, which is the crown jewel of the Inca Empire, is composed of 140 structures including temples, sanctuaries, parks and houses. Were also found in the ruins over 100 flights of stairs, and a large number of water sources that were interconnected by canals and drains dug into the rock, which was used as an irrigation system to bring water to each of the houses. In the city of Cusco we can find an wall that is admirable for its polygonal architecture, whose front covers almost the whole street Hatunrumiyoc. It is characterized by the twelve angles rock that is located in the center of the wall, famous for the perfect assembly of its corners and sides with the other
When Francisco Pizarro set out on his quest, he arrived in Peru in 1532. Upon his arrival, Pizarro found the Inca civilization in a fragile state due to a civil war. Two Inca brothers, Atahualpa and Huascar were in a power struggle to become the absolute ruler of the Inca Empire. In the end Atahualpa was victorious, however the empire was weaken and in its prime for a take over. In 1533 Francisco Pizarro and his army of 180 soldiers took advantage of the situation by kidnapping Atahualpa and holding him for...
...tures are built in the attempt to be noticed for their cultural significance but not as a main religious gathering place, and they both have spacious ambulatories for flow of spectators. Now in contrast of the two monuments, the pair have differences in their imagery, exterior as well as added spacing. The Dome of the Rock has mosaics on its exterior and interior and the mosaics are non representational. The overall shape of the temple is simply a dome on a octagonal base. However, San Vitale has multiple images of figures and animals but excludes it to only its interior. In addition, unlike the Dome of the Rock, its floor plan consists of a narthax, two towers, an apse and two chapels. By studying these monuments, it is possible to understand the importance of religious or cultural imagery as well as limiting materials for construction in these distinctive areas.
Civilizations have tried to cure the mentally ill since prehistoric times. Often humans believed that these people were victims of possession by demons, or were witches. Researchers at Northern Illinois University noted in an online article that “archeologists have uncovered skulls with holes drilled in them dating back as far as 8,000 B.C…the holes may have been drilled into the skull as a means of releasing ‘evil spirits’ that were trapped inside the head causing abnormal behavior” (Snitchler and Harris). This surgery, referred to as trephining, is still practiced by some African ethnic groups today.
Every on heard and know about Machu Picchu as of this is very mysterious and ancient city, which is famous for its history and achievements. The unique city located in Peru, in the remote place, very far from the main villages and around him towering peaks of the nearby mountains. It is an important fact because that’s why this area is one of the untouched by Spanish Conquistadors. The first who described Machu Picchu was the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911.
Therefore, I have partially proved my thesis. I said that Machu Picchu was created by the Inca culture for religious observance. Machu Picchu was used for that and many other things and that is why it is such an amazing civilization.
The first known medical procedure is called trephination. Trephination is the cutting of a hole through one's skull to relive excess pressure. This dates back to as early as the Stone Age, around 3,000 BC. Unearthed remains of successful brain operations, as well as surgical instruments, were found in France at one of Europe's noted archeological digs. The success rate was remarkable, even around 7,000 BC. Skulls have been found from about 8,000 BC with these telltale holes, most of which are exact and show growth, meaning that patients often lived for weeks, even months, afterwards . Pre-historic evidence of brain surgery was not limited to Europe. Early Incan civilization used brain surgery as an extensive practice as early as 2,000 BC. In Paracas, Peru, archeological evidence indicates that brain surgery was used frequently. Here, too, an inordinate success rate was noted as patients were restored to health. The treatment was used to treat mental illnesses they blamed on evil spirits, epilepsy, headaches, and osteomylitis, as well as head injuries. Brain surgery was also used for both spiritual and magical reasons; often, the practice was limited to kings, priests and the nobility. Surgical tools in South America were made of both bronze and carved obsidian. The Akkadians used trephination thousands of years later for the same purposes, and the practice was improved until it reached the state of today.