Machu Picchu, discovered in 1911, was built around the year 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire. It was then abandoned and left to the elements in 1572 as a result of the Spanish conquest. It is believed that Machu Picchu was a major religious site in Incan culture because of its location on the top of a mountain sacred to the Incas. In addition, altars were discovered at Machu Picchu with ritual ...