The wall at the far right has a niche (see next page) carved into the edges of two adjacent stones to form a support for a large beam which was across the front of the Temple at one time.

This wall at the right is a true “Inca wall” worth a look up close.

We look across the Plaza to the Eastern Urban Sector. The Artisans’ wall is on the edge of the Plaza. The dark rounded peak of Mount Putucusi is seen across the valley from the city.

Now on to the Pyramid and its aesthetic wonders.

Here in the Quarry is a stairway to nowhere, a beautiful sculpure that was never moved to its designated site. (Or perhaps it was to lead to a structure next to it that was never built.)

The granite rock in the quarry was the source of much of the finished stonework found in the city.

On our way to the Pyramid from the Quarry and the Sacred Plaza we pass by the garden.

Near the west wall of the Principal Temple is a small, polished crystal shaped stone which points south. Its upper surface appears to have a cross etched into its surface.

The stone has been scratched by careless guides who use their sticks to indicate that the stone points toward the constellation of the Southern Cross. However, the incision of a cross seems to be of ancient origin.

There are several astronomical alignments at Machu Picchu. The supposition that this stone has a connection to the Southern Cross is reasonable.

Before continuing to the Pyramid we’ll take a quick look at a sculpture in the quarry, which is near, just south of the Sacred Plaza.

The Principal Temple’s north wall is comprised of several huge stones in its lower section. The largest, in the center, has the appearance of an altar. The unusual aspect of the wall is its poor foundation toward the east. Consequently, the wall has settled.

Considering the excellent architectural design and engineering in other areas of Machu Picchu this defect is surprising.

Archeologists agree that the wall settled during the time of the Inca. The lack of repairs indicates that the Inca abandoned the city shortly after the wall settled.

In the bright sunshine the rock sits uncomfortably waiting to be moved.

Apparently this large stone was in the process of being relocated at the time the city was abandoned by the Inca. It is perched on smaller rocks which may have served as rollers to facilitate moving. Still archeologists are uncertain how the Inca moved, raised and fitted the huge heavy stones.

Other signs of abandonment while under construction are visible at the Sacred Plaza. We’ll look at another indication on the next page.

The weather seems to change moment by moment at Machu Picchu. Rain is on its way! Mount Yanantin is the sharp peak in the swirling clouds.

In the right forground is a rock “in transit.” Apparently the Sacred Plaza had work in progress when the city was abandoned.

The wall uses large stones carved to fit perfectly in complex patterns. The niche for a beam is carved into the two stones at the forward part of the wall.

The wall is near the garden — the edge is visible at the right.

The Artisians’ Wall is the bright wall near the left center of this image, left of the tree.

The relationship of the Sacred Plaza to other areas is shown here.

The Sacred Plaza is in the open space in the lower part of the image. The Principal Temple wall is the darker wall in the lower center. A semi-circle walled lookout is to the left and the Temple of the Three Windows is to the right.

Behind the Sacred Plaza the Pyramid rises with the Intiwatana at its peak.

The thatched huts in the middle right edge are the site of the Sacred Rock. (We will visit the Pyramid and Sacred Rock later.)