Machu Picchu: A Lost City Uncovered

A photo exhibit, at UGA's Tate Center, includes original black and white photos taken during the discovery of Machu Picchu. It will close today (January 24^th). The ruins of this ancient Inca city, located in the Andean mountains of Cusco, Peru, were discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

After his discovery of Machu Picchu, others came forward to claim they had, in fact, discovered it in 1906. But the switchback road leading to it is still named Hiram Bingham Highway. Bingham was an academic, explorer and treasure hunter, as well as a politician. He went on to become lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, was elected Governor and, after occupying the office for only one day, stepped down to become one of the state's two senators, following the suicide of his predecessor. It is widely believed he was the inspiration for Indiana Jones.

Bingham shipped over 40,000 artifacts back to Yale from Machu Pichu, and the Peruvian government worked for years to get them back. At last, in 2008, an agreement was finally reached for their return.

This wonderful exhibit, was sponsored by the Consulate General of Peru in Atlanta in conjunction with the UGA Latin American Studies Institute, and two local businesses, Master Tax & Financial Services and Cali-N-Tito's Restaurant.