Machu Picchu was purposely built on intersecting fault lines: research (2019)
Visited there a few years ago. Our guide explained to us that the indentations in the walls, that are like windows that only go halfway through the wall, were earthquake proofing technology. He said it dampened the propagation of shock waves through the rock wall to avoid catastrophic damage. Pretty cool stuff.<p>It’s an incredible place, I wish everyone could go see it with their own eyes, like so many things out there. Sad to see the note of over tourism at the end, and the plans for a new airport.<p>The road less traveled has always appealed to me, but by traveling those roads, I kind of ruin what I like the most. Don’t know how to reconcile that. Like, I loved hearing how the town at the base of Macchu Picchu only allowed bringing in supplies by horse to restrict the development to a reasonable pace. (At least at first–now there’s a train.)<p>But, in the interest of that road less traveled, I’ll throw out a recommendation for the Salkantay trek to get there from Cuzco. It approaches it from the opposite side than the Inca trail. You’ll get less ruins on the way there, but the villages and wilderness were outstanding, not to mention Mt Salkantay.