Which civilization built Machu Picchu?

Which civilization built Machu Picchu?

• A. Maya
• B. Inca
• C. Aztec
• D. Olmec

Answer: (B)

Machu Picchu was built by the Inca, the empire that dominated the Andean highlands of South America. Located in present-day Peru and dating to the mid-15th century, it showcases Inca engineering and aesthetics—stonework so precisely cut that the blocks fit together without mortar, complex terraces, and sophisticated water management—reflecting their ability to mobilize resources in rugged mountainous terrain. This contrasts with the Maya in Mesoamerica, the Aztec in central Mexico, and the Olmec along the Gulf Coast, whose civilizations developed in different regions and contexts. Machu Picchu thus stands as a hallmark of Inca achievement.

Machu Picchu was built by the Inca, the empire that dominated the Andean highlands of South America. Located in present-day Peru and dating to the mid-15th century, it showcases Inca engineering and aesthetics—stonework so precisely cut that the blocks fit together without mortar, complex terraces, and sophisticated water management—reflecting their ability to mobilize resources in rugged mountainous terrain. This contrasts with the Maya in Mesoamerica, the Aztec in central Mexico, and the Olmec along the Gulf Coast, whose civilizations developed in different regions and contexts. Machu Picchu thus stands as a hallmark of Inca achievement.