Machu Picchu: Exploring an Ancient Sacred Center (World Heritage and Monuments) Paperback – Illustrated, September 7, 2007

Estoy muy contento con la compra y la informacion que encontre en este libro

No one knows more about Andean notions of sacred geography than Johan Reinhard, the high altitude archaeologist who in 1995 at the summit of Ampato (6312 m/20,708 ft) discovered the Ice Maiden, a perfectly preserved human sacrifice, a young girl whose life was given the gods of the Inca some 500 years ago. Since 1980 Reinhard has made over 200 ascents over 5200 m, and in doing he has discovered more than forty high altitude Inca ritual sites. But arguably his greatest contribution is distilled in this brilliant book, which reveals that Machu Picchu was never a lost city, but rather a ceremonial center anchored in and defined by complex notions of sacred geography that provide a window onto the entire cosmology and religious life of the Inca. This is the one indispensable book that every person who visits the site ought to have in their back pack.

I was disappointed in this book. It was enthusiastically referenced in “Turn right at Machu Pichu” as THE book for learning about the Inca concept of the sacred landscape. It’s an awkward mix of scholarly archaeological writing that is boring and super basic tourist info. The photos are badly reproduced.Instead I recommend “Turn Right at MP” for a great overview and “Inca Monuments” for deeper study and really beautiful photos.“Threads of Stone” is probably my favorite Inca book, very insightful and thought stimulating; an excellent combination of scholarship and creative thinking.

The best book by the best scholar to date on Machu Picchu. Lay people can read it and enjoy it. Forget the other theories dating back to Hiram Bingham. Reinhard gets it right. If you are going there and want to do more than snap photos then get this book and read it before during and after your trip to Machu Picchu. Tune into the Nova program entitled "The Ghosts of Machu Picchu." Reinhard was a major contributor to that documentary as well. BTW, drink plenty of coca tea when you get their. It helps the high altitude sickness of Cusco and MP.

yes, she is a 500 year old ancestor of mine, thx

Recommended by a knowledgeable friend. Good background for our trip, allowing us to sensibly select what to see in the Cuzco region.

fascinating yet very academic read about the sacred geology/cosmology/geography of the Incas. great preparation for my trip to peru.

Enjoyed the broader history in this book. Piques a curiosity of the Incas.