Inca ruin of Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, Peru

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Inca ruin of Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, Peru

In the city of Cusco, Peru, the stone walls of Sacsayhuamán, seen in today's image, murmur tales of the mighty Inca civilisation. Perched on a steep hill overlooking the city, this fortified complex offers expansive views of the valley to the southeast. Archaeological studies of pottery found at Sacsayhuamán suggest that the hilltop was first occupied around 900 CE. The Quechua word Sacsayhuamán means 'the place where the hawk is satisfied.' The citadel's walls, which extended over 30 metres, were built in the 15th century CE. The boulders used to make them were carved and placed without mortar. After the Inca Empire was defeated at a battle here in 1536, Sacsayhuamán was dismantled by the Spanish, and the rest of the structure was covered in earth. It was rediscovered in 1934 when the site was excavated.