Upon a hilltop in the shadow of mount Huayna Picchu (in the background), the sacred city of Machu Picchu (“old mountain” in Quechua) was erected in the 15th century under ¬the Inca emperor Pachacutec. In 1983 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and in 2007 it was designated as one of the seven new wonders of the world by NewOpenWorld Foundation.

The ruins of Machu Picchu – shot here from the top of mount Huayna Picchu – remained forgotten during four centuries before they were rediscovered in 1911 by American archaeologist and researcher Hiram Bingham, from Yale University.

These corner posts and roof beams of one of the 20 houses once standing in Ninstints have been reclaimed by nature.

On this detail of a fallen totem pole in Ninstints, a frog peers playfully from under the mighty tail fin of a killer whale. Around 1945, the delicately carved details on the frog's head - the large eyes and small nostrils - were still clearly visible. - Anthony Island - Queen Charlotte Island - BC - Canada

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Vue générale des ruines incaïques de Machu Picchu (Cuzco). - 1969

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Dans le département du Cuzco se trouvent les ruines de villes que les Incas élevèrent entre le 12e et le 1 6e siècle. Celle de Pissac occupe une esplanade qui domine la vallée sacrée des Incas. Les blocs sont taillés dans du granit rose d'une exceptionnelle qualité.

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L'architecture inca fait usage de gros et de petits blocs dans un assemblage d'une extraordinaire précision. Le système «polygonal» a servi à la construction de nombreux murs de défense. Nous en avons un exemple frappant à Limatambo (département du Cuzco).

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La Cordillère des Andes est semée de lieux de culte incas. Les bains de Tambo Machay, près du Cuzco, parlent en faveur de l'importance de l'eau dans la vie matérielle et spirituelle des indigènes.

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Puma Puncu, l'un des plus vastes ensembles archéologiques de Tiahuanaco, n'est plus que ruines disloquées et chaotiques. Quel culte ésotérique réunissait des milliers de pèlerins dans l'immense enceinte quadrangulaire? Des clés de bronze fondu dans des mortaises assemblaient les énormes dalles qui gisent pêle-mêle, longues de 8 mètres, larges de 5 mètres, épaisses de 2 mètres.

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A près de 4.000 mètres d'altitude, Koati, l'île de la Lune, profile ses vestiges inca sur le Titicaca, le grand lac le plus «haut» du monde, que couronnent, au fond, les glaciers immaculés de la Cordillera Real de Bolivie.

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Au coeur du lac Titicaca, dans l'île du Soleil, subsistent les ruines du palais de Manco Capac, l'«Adam» inca, mandé par l'astre-Père, selon la tradition, pour endoctriner les peuples redevenus barbares après un certain «déluge» andin.

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Sans doute construit vers 1490 par Huayna Capac dans la province équatorienne de Hatun Cafiar, Ingapirca fut l'un des plus beaux monuments du nord de l'Empire du Tahuantinsuyo. A la fois palais fortifié, tambo royal et temple du Soleil, il surprend par son inhabituel plan ovale et ses rangées de pierres bombées au reflet vert (longueur: 37,10m; largeur 12,30).

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Dans le doux «Eden » de la Vallée tropicale sacrée des Incas s'étend à 3.100 mètres d'altitude le vaste complexe archéologique de Pisac, l'une des «capitales» impériales. Une trentaine de résidences au style raffiné entourent l'Intihuatana elliptique, voué au culte astral.

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A l'issue des obscurs dédales du «quartier des prisons» de Machu Picchu repose une dalle plate et triangulaire en forme de condor couché face au soleil levant. Entre la «collerette» de pierre et le bec recourbé, une rigole recueillait le sang fécondant des sacrifices qui s'écoulait jusque dans les entrailles de la Terre-Mère.

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Enigmatiques et impérissables «testaments» de l'Empire inca du Tahuantinsuyo, les temples s'ouvrent majestueusement sur Inti Cancha, la place cérémonielle du haut quartier magico-religieux de Machu Picchu, que surplombent les quatorze terrasses pyramidales de l'observatoire et acropole solaire où se trouve l'Intihuatana.

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Absolument invisible depuis le fond du sauvage canyon de l'Urubamba, dressée à 2500 mètres d'altitude dans l'ombre du Huayna Picchu, enchâssée dans un imprenable piédestal granitique, la fantomatique «Cité perdue» de Machu Picchu le demeura au sens réel du mot durant quatre cents ans avant que ne la retrouve miraculeusement, en 1911, l'explorateur américain Hiram Bingham.

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Die Inka-Bergfestung Machu Picchu auf 2690 Meter Höhe vor dem Kegel des Huayna Picchu. Keiner der spanischen Eroberer erwähnt diese Stadt am Rand des Urwalds über dem Rio Urubamba (rechts), einem der Quellflüsse des Amazonas. Wie andere pucaras (befestigte Siedlungen) versorgte sich Machu Picchu im Notfall selbst, doch konnten die terrassierten Äcker höchstens 500 Menschen ernähren. Dieses späte Inkawerk enthält Bauten verschiedenen Stils. vorab den Königspalast aus schön behauenen Granitblöcken mit trapezförmigen Torgängen und Fensteröffnungen. Aber auch dicht gedrängte einfache Steinhütten und barackenähnliche Quartiere für die Soldaten. Ein ovaler Turm- einzig in seiner Art- hat die Vermutung aufkommen lassen, Machu Picchu sei noch nach dem Eintreffen der Spanier weiter ausgebaut worden. Entdeckt wurde die Stadt erst 1911 von einer Expedition, die auf der Suche nach der legendären letzten Inkafestung Vilcabamba war. - 1976

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Die Bergfestung Machu Picchu, Peru (vgl. auch Bild 80). Anfänglich glaubte man, dass die verschiedenen Arten von Mauerwerk, die sich sowohl in Cuzco wie Machu Picchu und anderen Inka-Bauten finden, aus unterschiedlichen Epochen stammten. Heute ist man der Ansicht, dass sowohl die aus ineinander verkanteten Megalithblöcken wie die aus glatten, gleich großen Steinen gefügten Mauern und die Mörtel-Feldstein - Technik von denselben Baumeistern aus der Zeit nach 1440 je nach Bestimmung verwendet wurden: die Megalith-Bauweise für Stützmauern, glatte, ebenmäßig gerundete Quader für Repräsentativbauten und Mörtel-Feldstein -Mauern - neben Adobeziegeln - für Zweckgebäude. In Machu Picchu deuten jedoch verschiedene Elemente, wie der ovale Torreón, darauf hin, dass hier noch in der Kolonialzeit weitergebaut wurde. Die Inkaarchitektur kennt sonst nur rechtwinklige oder trapezoide Formen, und auch vertikale Wölbungen fehlen völlig, was beispielsweise der Konstruktion von Toren gewisse Grenzen setzte. - 1969

The classic general view of the ruins of Machu Picchu. In the middle distance the dominant Huayna Picchu. - 1969

The classic general view of the ruins of Machu Picchu from a different angle. In the middle the dominant Huayna Picchu. - 1969

Machu Picchu - Sacred Square - Main Temple and Temple of the three windows - the staircase leads to the Intihuatana - 1969

In the gentle "Eden" of the sacred tropical Valley of the Incas, at an altitude of 3,100 meters, the vast archaeological complex of Pisac, one of the imperial "capitals", extends. About thirty residences in a refined style surround the elliptical Intihuatana, dedicated to the sun cult. - 1969

The internal drainage system of the terraces of Machu Picchu, created by the Incas, consisted of three layers, a first layer of mulch, a second of sand and a third of gravel. These layers allowed the water sucked in by the terraces not to flood the terraces, but to run downhill and be quickly absorbed without creating landslides that would endanger the city and its inhabitants. - 1976

Along the partly restored Barracas of the former farmers, 100 stairs with more than 3000 steps run down the slope. They connect 260 palaces, temples, sanctuaries, thermal baths, sacrificial altars, caves of mummies and "hanging gardens" and make Machu Picchu a "stone poem". . . a challenge of nature ... an unfathomable secret. - 1976

Chavín Culture, Peru. The huge temple complex near the village of Chavín de Huántar behind the Cordillera Blanca gave its name to a culture whose influence around 1000 BC can be traced over a wide area and in later cultural forms, so that it can be called with some justification the mother culture. Recurring motifs are the jaguar or a mixture of predator, snake and condor and warriors with predator teeth, condor claws and snake hair or hair with condor heads. Here the main portal to the temple complex with the large ceremonial square in the foreground. - 1976

The Chavín culture, which we know mainly through its stonemasonry, belongs to the developmental period of pre-Columbian Peru. - 1969

The Chavín religion is characterised by a cult in honour of the condor. The very schematic representation of this giant vulture is also found on stone slabs that decorate the temple of the Chavín site in the Cordillera. - 1969

The Lanzón of Chavín is a sacred monolith or wanka that belongs to the Chavín culture. It is carved in irregular granite, 4.54 m high and is located in its original location in a sector of an interior gallery of the Old Temple of Chavín. It is called the "Lanzón" because it has the shape of a giant spire whose ends are firmly embedded in the floor and ceiling of the gallery. It has three sides covered with engraved motifs representing a deity with human features mixed with those of animals. It is the largest of the sculptures or monoliths preserved from the Chavín culture. - 1969

'Pucará de Tilcara' is one of the most important archaeological sites in Northern Argentina, created from the site of an old Indian defensive village of the Tilcara Indians. It is located at an extremely good strategic point above the 'Quebrada de Humahuaca' canyon, where the Inca Road crosses. It is located at an altitude of 2450 m, one kilometer south of the city of Tilcara on a hill 80 m above the Río Grande in the province of Jujuy. - 1973

In the 17th century, the Jesuits settled in the province of Misiones and founded reservations for the Indians. The crumbling church of San Ignacio Miní dates from that time. - 1973

In the 17th century, the Jesuits settled in the province of Misiones and founded reservations for the Indians. The crumbling church of San Ignacio Miní dates from that time. A strangler fig clings to a wall. - 1973

In the 17th century, the Jesuits settled in the province of Misiones and founded reservations for the Indians. The portal of the crumbling church of San Ignacio Mini dates from that time. - 1973

Remains of the castillo (castle) of San Fernando de Omoa, Honduras. There are many ruins from the colonial period in Central America. The Spanish conquerors were often forced to build real fortresses in order to protect themselves from the repeated and courageous attacks of the Indian populations who tried, by all possible means, to defend and safeguard the integrity of their territory. These fortresses comprise a complex of buildings and were designed to be able to withstand a siege of a certain duration. They were built mainly in the vicinity of the Caribbean coastline and were also used during the 16th and 17th centuries to repel attempts by French and English pirates and freebooters to land. The latter, encouraged by their respective rulers, became more and more daring and enterprising, posing a permanent and growing threat to the possessions that the Spanish conquerors had on American soil. - 1977

Partial view of the interior of the castillo of San Fernando de Omoa, Honduras. This is one of the ammunition shops in which hundreds of cannonballs of all sizes abound. Many of these fortresses, built on American soil by the Spanish conquerors, were used as arsenals in which the troops could obtain supplies. These fortresses also provided some protection for the captains whose galleons were loaded with precious metal objects taken from the Indian populations of South America. These ships, filled with priceless treasures, then headed for Spain on a long and dangerous journey. The permanent state of insecurity that reigned throughout the colony was maintained by the hostility of the Indian populations towards the Western invaders and by the threats posed by French and English pirates and freebooters on the Atlantic coast. To this must be added the bloody struggles for power and for the possession of gold that the Spanish conquerors established in the different regions of Central America waged among themselves. - 1977

Cannon barrels lie in the courtyard of the castle of San Fernando de Omoa in Honduras. A large part of these Spanish fortresses were used as weapons magazines to supply the troops. The Spanish conquerors often felt compelled to build actual fortresses to protect themselves against the spirited attacks of the Indians, who tried to defend their country's independence by any means necessary. - 1977

Remains of the castillo (castle) of San Fernando de Omoa, Honduras. There are many ruins from the colonial period in Central America. The Spanish conquerors were often forced to build real fortresses in order to protect themselves from the repeated and courageous attacks of the Indian populations who tried, by all possible means, to defend and safeguard the integrity of their territory. These fortresses comprise a complex of buildings and were designed to be able to withstand a siege of a certain duration. They were built mainly in the vicinity of the Caribbean coastline and were also used during the 16th and 17th centuries to repel attempts by French and English pirates and freebooters to land. The latter, encouraged by their respective rulers, became more and more daring and enterprising, posing a permanent and growing threat to the possessions that the Spanish conquerors had on American soil. - 1977

The M stele and the "Escalinata de Jerogíficos" which stand in the ruins of Copán. This Mayan archaeological site is located in the mountainous western part of Honduras, in the middle of the tropical forest. Numerous monuments and fully engraved stone stelae have been reported there. These are three to four metres high and usually evoke the shape of a figure. The figure is accompanied by glyphs and a system of dots and lines which have made it possible to date the stele. This is baroque art where the attention to detail has been pushed to the extreme. Nevertheless, these monuments are never too heavy given their exceptional dimensions. This stonework is a testimony to the incomparable talent of the Maya sculptors of the old empire. - 1977

Detail on a wall in the ruins of Copán. This site, which is significant for Maya archaeology, is located in the mountainous west of Honduras, in the middle of the tropical forest. - 1977

Stele B in the ruins of Copán. This Mayan archaeological site is located in the mountainous western part of Honduras, in the middle of the rainforest. Numerous monuments and fully engraved stone stelae have been reported there. These are three to four metres high and usually evoke the shape of a figure. The figure is accompanied by glyphs and a system of dots and lines which have made it possible to date the stele. This is baroque art where the attention to detail has been pushed to the extreme. Nevertheless, these monuments are never too heavy given their exceptional dimensions. This stonework is a testimony to the incomparable talent of the Maya sculptors of the old empire. - 1977

What remains of one of the most beautiful churches in La Antigua, Guatemala, a victim like so many others of the earthquakes that devastated the country. - 1977

In the mountainous area of northern Guatemala, near the provincial capital of Huehuetenango, stand the ruins of Zaculeu. Some archaeologists place these glorious remains chronologically before the Maya of the first empire (Culture Mam). However, there is no unanimous agreement among scholars on this subject. The ruins of Zaculeu have been partially restored. The usefulness of some of these interventions could be questioned. Nevertheless, the site occupies a fairly large area and is set in a splendid landscape that is well suited to seduce the traveller. Moreover, from an ethnographic point of view, the Huehuetenango region is rich and deserves a visit. - 1977

In the mountainous area of northern Guatemala, near the provincial capital of Huehuetenango, stand the ruins of Zaculeu. Some archaeologists place these glorious remains chronologically before the Maya of the first empire. However, there is no unanimous agreement among scholars on this subject. The ruins of Zaculeu have been partially restored. The usefulness of some of these interventions could be questioned. Nevertheless, the site occupies a fairly large area and is set in a splendid landscape that is well suited to seduce the traveller. Moreover, from an ethnographic point of view, the Huehuetenango region is rich and deserves a visit. - 1977

The Jaguar Pyramid of Tikal (or Tik'al, according to modern Maya spelling), which is one of the largest urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation. It is located in the municipality of Flores in the department of Petén and is part of the Tikal National Park. - 1977

The Jaguar Pyramid of Tikal (or Tik'al, according to modern Maya spelling), which is one of the largest urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation. It is located in the municipality of Flores in the department of Petén and is part of the Tikal National Park. At the foot of the structure, one can recognise stelae one to two metres high, often laid out in a straight line, with strange signs and hieroglyphics. - 1977

The city of Tikal is located in the north of Guatemala, in the heart of the Petén jungle. It is one of the largest sanctuary cities in the classical Maya world, covering an area of at least 100 square kilometres. North American archaeologists have been studying this extraordinary site for several years now. Their work is all the more commendable because archaeological excavations are very difficult in the forest. The exuberant vegetation, kept alive by the heat and the year-round humidity, makes it difficult to carry out large-scale research. It is calculated that only one-sixteenth of the city has been studied to date, and this despite the greatest difficulties. The site shows a series of palaces, temples and pyramids. Some of the latter, which are nearly sixty metres high, dominate the jungle. Some of these amazing constructions represent a mass of material estimated at 200,000 cubic metres! This figure, in truth, leaves one dreaming. Almost vertical staircases lead to the upper part of these pyramids, which is a platform on which an often highly decorated temple still stands. Unfortunately, rain erosion, which is almost constant in the forest, has caused the destruction of many of these works of art. At the foot of the buildings and often forming alignments, one can see steles of one to two metres in height, covered with strange engravings and hieroglyphs. - 1977

Temple II of Tikal (or Tik'al, according to modern Maya spelling), which is one of the largest urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation. It is located in the municipality of Flores in the department of Petén and is part of the Tikal National Park. At the foot of the structure, one can recognise stelae one to two metres high, often laid out in a straight line, with strange signs and hieroglyphics. - 1977

Temple complex of Tikal (or Tik'al, according to modern Mayan spelling), which is one of the largest urban centres of the pre-Columbian Mayan civilisation. It is located in the municipality of Flores in the department of Petén and is part of the Tikal National Park. - 1977

Stele 22 in the temple complex of Tikal from the year 771, built under the ruler Yax Nuun Ahiin II. - 1977

Ruins of an old village near Agalal - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Gathering near the ruins of an old village near Agalal - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The photograph shows historic tiles (glazed ceramic tiles) of the kind typically found in the ruins of St Augustine’s Church in Old Goa, India. These tiles feature characteristic motifs in shades of blue, yellow and ochre, bearing witness to the Portuguese influence in this region during the 17th century. The tiles are located on the remains of St Augustine’s Church, which was built around 1602. The photograph shows the tiles in a weathered state on a dark, moss-covered wall, which is typical of the ruins in the humid environment of Goa. – 1990

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