The Incas built the city of Machu Picchu in the 15th century in the Andes Mountains of Peru as part of their empire, but abandoned it in the 16th century. It was rediscovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, overgrown by jungle. The Incas constructed Machu Picchu with stone terraces connected by hundreds of stairs and paths containing houses, squares, and temples for the royal family, farmers, and priests.