THE INCA RUINS OF MACHU PICCHU IN THE HIGH ANDES OF PERU -PRE-COLUMBIAN HISTORY

The history of pre-Columbian Empires forms part of the Year 8 History curriculum. (Australia) This unit also fits Destination and Location studies (UK Curriculum). It concentrates on the ruins of Machu Picchu and has a place if you are looking for World Heritage Sites or finding the 8 Wonders of the modern World. A great asset when studying history is to provide material that will provoke student interest. This unit will interest and challenge students by providing material that lay the foundation for the study of pre-Columbian History of Indian Empires in South and Central America. (Maya, Aztec and Inca) As the best known ruins of the Inca Empire Machu Picchu is a very photographic starting place. However - catch the train from Cusco. Take the journey into the thin air environment. Look over the settlement and with the aid of overlay titles recognise the archaeological significance of this ridge settlement. Ponder questions about its origin. Join the debate about its abandonment and then lead out into broader questions about pre-Colombian history via map and background questions provided as attachments in both colour and black and white. Machu Picchu is a very special place- challenging to reach but impossible to forget. Hopefully your students will understand that and be enthused to delve more into the history of the Central and South American Indian Empires.