Situated high in the Peruvian Andes, the 15th-century Inca palace complex at Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world. In this illustrated volume, leading American and Peruvian scholars provide an overview of the site, its place within the Inca empire, the mysteries surrounding its establishment and abandonment, and the discoveries made there since the excavations by archaeologist Hiram Bingham III in the early-20th century. Drawing upon scientific findings, the authors describe the royal estate in the cloud forest where the Inca emperor and his guests went to escape the pressures of the capital. In addition to Bingham's account of his first expedition in 1911, the book includes both modern and archival photographs of the site as well as colour illustrations and explanations of some 120 gold, silver, ceramic, bone and textile works recovered at Machu Picchu.