Name: 馬丘比丘 101 | 國家地理 (Machu Picchu 101 | National Geographic)
Uploaded: 2026-03-18T07:37:36.000Z
Duration: 3 min 34 s

The stone city of Machu Picchu is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites on the planet.

馬丘比丘這座石頭建造的古城，是地球上最令人著迷的考古遺址之一。

Located northwest of Cusco, Peru, Machu Picchu is a testament to the power and ingenuity of the Inca people.

馬丘比丘位於祕魯庫斯科西北方，是印加民族力量與智慧的展現。

During its prime, the Inca civilization stretched about 2,500 miles along South America's Pacific coastline from modern day Ecuador down into Chile.

在鼎盛時期，印加文明綿延約 2,500 英里，沿著南美洲的太平洋海岸線，從現今的厄瓜多一直延伸到智利。

This distance is nearly the horizontal width of the continental United States.

這個距離差不多就是美國大陸東西橫跨的寬度。

Machu Picchu, located at the center of this once expansive empire, is one of the few well preserved remnants of the Inca civilization.

馬丘比丘位於這個曾經廣袤帝國的中心，是印加文明少數保存完好的遺跡之一。

Built around the mid 15th century, Machu Picchu is a stunning example of the Inca's engineering feats.

馬丘比丘大約在 15 世紀中期建成，是印加人工程壯舉的絕佳範例。

The Inca constructed Machu Picchu's palaces, temples, terraces and infrastructure using stone and without the help of wheels or tools made of steel or iron.

印加人建造馬丘比丘的宮殿、神廟、梯田和基礎設施，使用的是石頭，而且沒有用到輪子，也沒有使用鋼鐵或鐵製工具。

One particularly notable aspect of their construction is foregoing the use of mortar, a material often used to bind stones together.

他們建造工法中一個特別值得注意的地方，就是省略了黏合石頭常用的砂漿。

Nonetheless, the stones of Machu Picchu were cut so precisely that they snugly fit together.

儘管如此，馬丘比丘的石頭切割得非常精準，能夠緊密地互相嵌合。

Located on two fault lines, Machu Picchu often experiences earthquakes.

馬丘比丘坐落於兩條斷層線上，經常會發生地震。

But because of the stones exceptional cut and fit, they bounce during tremors and then are able to easily fall back into position.

但因為石頭切割和密合度非常出色，地震時它們會彈跳，然後又能輕鬆地回到原位。

These engineering marvels have preserved Machu Picchu's remarkable condition for over 500 years.

這些工程奇蹟讓馬丘比丘在五百多年來都保持著驚人的狀態。

Machu Picchu's purpose is still a mystery to many archaeologists.

馬丘比丘的用途對許多考古學家來說仍然是個謎。

Some theorize that it may have served as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a retreat for nobility.

有些人推測它可能曾是個儀式場所、軍事據點，或是貴族的避世之所。

The site's geographic layout may be significant in another way.

這個地點的地理格局可能在另一個方面也很重要。

Many of both the man made and natural structures appear to align with astronomical events.

許多人造和天然結構似乎都與天文事件對齊。

But in the early 16th century, only about 100 years after it was built, Machu Picchu was abandoned.

但在 16 世紀初，也就是建成後大約 100 年，馬丘比丘就被廢棄了。

And since the Inca had no written language, no records exist to explain the exact purpose of the site.

而且由於印加人沒有書面語言，所以沒有任何紀錄能解釋這個地點的確切用途。

Although local communities knew about Machu Picchu, the site remained largely unknown to the outside world for hundreds of years.

雖然當地社群知道馬丘比丘的存在，但這個地點在數百年間對外界來說大多不為人知。

Spanish conquistadors who invaded the Inca civilization in the 16th century never came across the site.

在 16 世紀入侵印加文明的西班牙征服者從未發現過這個地方。

It wasn't until the early 20th century when Melchior Artillaga, a local farmer, debuted Machu Picchu to outsiders when he led Yale University professor Hiram Bingham to the site.

直到 20 世紀初，當地農民 Melchior Artillaga 才帶著耶魯大學教授 Hiram Bingham 前往此地，向外界揭開馬丘比丘的神祕面紗。

Bingham and successive explorers devoted much of their academic careers to studying the archaeological wonderful.

Bingham 和後來的探險家們，將他們大部分的學術生涯都投入在這個考古奇蹟的研究。

Despite its enigmatic nature, Machu Picchu still stands as one of the world's most important archaeological sites.

儘管充滿謎團，馬丘比丘至今仍是世界上最重要的考古遺址之一。

It is a testament to the power and ingenuity of one of the largest empires in the Americas.

它證明瞭美洲最大帝國之一的力量與智慧。

In 1983, UNESCO designated Machu Picchu as a World Heritage Site.

1983 年，聯合國教科文組織將馬丘比丘列為世界遺產。

And today visitors from around the world come to pay homage to this piece of history.

如今，來自世界各地的遊客紛紛前來向這段歷史致敬。