100年前一名美国考古学家发现位于秘鲁的印加古城马丘比丘。很多来自世界各地的游客都会到此观光。本周当地政府举办了大型活动以示庆祝。 庆典活动包括印第安文化传统的歌舞表演，现代音乐会，神秘的宗教仪式和各项学术研究讨论。

 

It's one of the most stunning¹ and iconic landmarks² in the world, but for Peruvians Machu Picchu is much more than an archaeological site. It's become a symbol of national identity even though its origins are still shrouded³ in mystery.

 

Some believe it may have been a refuge for an Inca ruler, others that it was a religious sanctuary⁴. It's all part of the attraction for the nearly million tourists who visit the mountain-top citadel⁵ every year.

 

A hundred years ago the American historian Hiram Bingham claimed to have discovered the city high up in the Andes, hidden by dense⁶ jungle. Most experts now agree that Mr Bingham, from Yale University, was not the first to rediscover Machu Picchu. A Peruvian explorer had been there a decade earlier.

 

The story of its discovery may have been romanticised, yet Mr Bingham's expedition certainly made this unknown wonder of the world famous.

 

Thousands of artefacts which he took from these ruins are now being returned. They'll go on display in nearby Cuzco later this month. A century after Mr Bingham's visit Peruvians are happy to share this place with the world, but they're also keen to reclaim⁷ Machu Picchu as their own.

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