Culture Exchange Highlight
Two Sites in the America’s Named to the New Seven Wonders of the Worlds

In 200 BC, the Seven Wonders of the World were chosen by Philon of Byzantium.  Now known as the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, all of the sites were built between 2,500 BC and 200 BC.  The only remaining Wonder is the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.  

For more than 18 months, beginning in 2006, citizens from around the world were asked to vote on the New Seven Wonders of the World.  The search had been narrowed to 21 finalists, with only one finalist allowed per nation.  Over 100 million votes were cast, mainly over the internet.  On July 7, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, the New Seven Wonders of the World were announced.  Two of the chosen sites were built by the Native peoples of the Americas. 

Chichén Itzá, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

The famous temple city, Chichén Itzá was the center of power for the Mayans.  The name, Chichén Itzá means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza (people)” in Mayan. Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, where there are no above ground rivers, three natural sinkholes provided water to the city year round.  Two of these sinkholes still exist.  In the heart of the city is a step pyramid called the Temple of Kukulcan.  Staircases were built up the four sides of the temple.  Sculptures of serpents that were on those staircases appear to move during the spring and fall equinoxes because of the way the shadows fall.

Also found in the city was a large court for playing a popular game called “pok ta pok.”  Players would try to throw a ball through a ring on the wall, seven meters (23 feet) above the ground. 

It is unknown when the city of Chichén Itzá  was established, but many believe it was around the year 600 AD.  The city was likely populated until around 1221 AD, when civil war broke out.

Machu Picchu, Peru

It is thought that the city of Machu Picchu (“old mountain”) was built around 1440 by Pachacútec Yupanqui, the founder of the Inca Empire.  The city is deep in the Amazon Jungle, above the Urubamba River and 2,350 m (7,710 ft) above sea level.  Many people call Machu Picchu the city above the clouds because of its height.  Machu Picchu was forgotten for centuries, but was rediscovered in 1911.  Although no one know what the city was, some believe it was a burial site; others, a country retreat for Incan nobility; still others, a settlement to control the economy of conquered lands.  It may have been used to protect the highest Incan nobility in case of attack.  Or, as others claim, it could have been an observatory for astrological ceremonies. 

The city contains large areas for planting crops, flowers, and plants.  A point of interest is a solar clock that shows the date of the two equinoxes and other important astrological events.  The area was likely abandoned by 1530.