Machu Picchu's stones defy earthquakes without mortar
Machu Picchu's Inca builders crafted interlocking stones without mortar, creating a flexible, earthquake-resistant citadel that has endured for over 500 years in the seismic Andes.
Machu Picchu's incredible stability comes from its unique construction: Inca builders precisely fitted massive granite blocks without mortar. This ingenious technique, developed around 1450, allowed the stones to interlock like puzzle pieces, enabling slight movement during seismic shifts. Unlike rigid European masonry, this ashlar design dissipates earthquake energy, preventing collapse in the Andes, a region prone to tremors.
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