Machu Picchu in 1911: A Journey through Hiram Bingham's Photographs

Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel located in the Peruvian Andes. Its name means “old mountain” in Quechua, and it has been declared a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most fascinating architectural legacies of Inca culture, visited by over a million people annually. It is situated 85 kilometers from the city of Cusco, in the province of Urubamba, nestled between the mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu at an elevation of 2,350 meters above sea level.

However, in this post, I will delve into the uniqueness of the year 1911 for Machu Picchu. If you’re a photography and history enthusiast, join me in exploring this visual diary.

Much has been said about who discovered or rediscovered Machu Picchu over the past decades. We know that Agustín Lizarraga, Enrique Palma, and Gabino Sánchez reached the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in 1906. However, it was Hiram Bingham, the American explorer and professor, who, embarking on a small expedition to the city of Cusco, introduced Machu Picchu to the world in 1911 through numerous images captured by his camera. These images were first disseminated through the famous and renowned National Geographic and Yale University.

Undoubtedly, the year 1911 marked a before and after for Machu Picchu, as Hiram Bingham’s photographic record showcased firsthand images that visually described the majesty and grandeur of Inca culture. It’s worth noting that Hiram Bingham’s research compiled around 244 photographs from the expedition, using special Kodak cameras that allowed for panoramic and videographic views. They obtained 3,500 negatives and employed approximately 10 wooden tripods, according to National Geographic.

Creating a visual diary in that era was both an ethnographic and visual innovation feat, enabling archaeological restoration studies, historical and social research, and more. The worldwide promotion of Machu Picchu in 1911 emphasized the legacy and promotion of one of the most incredible archaeological sites, while also opening doors to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage in Peru.

Subsequently, Hiram Bingham wrote the book “The Lost City of the Incas,” in which he described his experience with Machu Picchu in 1911, providing a documentary and human perspective on the life-changing exploration, as reflected in the following quote from his book:

“Suddenly, I found myself standing before the walls of ruins and houses built with the finest Inca craftsmanship. The walls were difficult to discern, as trees and moss had covered the stones for centuries. But in the bamboo shadow and climbing shrubs, there were visible walls made of precisely cut white granite blocks. I found brilliant temples, royal houses, a grand plaza, and thousands of houses. It seemed like a dream.”

In this regard, I’ve selected 12 images from Bingham’s entire photographic collection that will allow you to observe and imagine how the Incas lived more than 200 years ago. These images include panoramas of Machu Picchu, stone walls, and masonry, among others. Finally, it’s important to note that Inca culture was an advanced civilization that united much of Latin America, and its architecture employed techniques with large blocks and amalgams connected to Andean symbolism and nature.

1. Panoramic View of Machu Picchu