KOPPELQUESTS - Photo Gallery 5/9/2004

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A very foggy early-morning (6:00 AM) start to our explorations at Machu Picchu	This was as far as we could see in the ruins this morning		This is called the "snake window" - it's part of the Temple of the Sun" and was named by Bingham because he thought the holes were made to allow snakes to come into the temple. The holes are now thought to have been used to hang astronomical tools.
Much of the stonework at Machu Picchu had to work around natural rocks	This is called the Royal Tomb	This was the main entrance to the Temple of the Sun	This shows a transition in style from one part of the wall to another. On the right is "pillow style" and on the left is "classic style." Classic style was reserved for the most important areas.
Here's David using the only private toilet found anywhere in Machu Picchu (actually, he's pretending...).	More of this morning's foggy ruins	Looking down on the Temple of the Sun. It contains some of the best stonework at Machu Picchu, and is thought to have been used for astronomical purposes.	Several years ago, archaeologists demonstrated one way that the Incas may have cut their rocks. Holes were made along fissures and then pieces of wood were inserted and repeatedly soaked in water. As the wood expanded, it eventually cracked the rock.