Hiram Bingham III is one of the names most closely linked to the modern history of Machu Picchu. His arrival at the Inca citadel in 1911 forever changed the way the world looked at Peru, but it also opened a question that still sparks debate today: did he really discover Machu Picchu, or did he simply bring it to international attention?
In this blog, you’ll explore Bingham’s life, his expeditions through the Andes, his search for Vilcabamba, the key role of local guides, and the controversy behind the famous “rediscovery” of Machu Picchu. More than a simple biography, this is a story of exploration, memory, heritage, and the many voices that form part of the legacy of one of the world’s most impressive wonders.
Who was Hiram Bingham?
Hiram Bingham III was an American explorer and historian, best known worldwide for bringing the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911.
He also explored other archaeological sites in Peru, taking photographs of landscapes and local people during his time in the country.
Key facts about Hiram Bingham III
- Born: November 19, 1875, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Died: June 6, 1956, in Washington, D.C.
- Profession: Historian, university professor, and explorer.
- Education: Yale University, the University of California, and Harvard University.
Biography of Hiram Bingham
Childhood and adolescence
From an early age, Hiram Bingham found refuge in books and his vivid imagination. At first, his parents only allowed him to read the Bible and a green book of moral stories. Over time, he found in libraries and books a place for his restless mind, where he devoured all kinds of reading and became especially fond of Mark Twain’s "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
At the age of 16, he returned to the United States to study at Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, a well-known preparatory school in Andover, hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps. During this period, he had to take on different jobs to support himself.
Hiram Bingham’s adulthood
In 1900, at the age of 25, his life changed dramatically when he married Alfreda Mitchell, the daughter of a distinguished family and heiress to the Tiffany & Co. jewelry fortune in New York. He later continued his academic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned his doctorate in history from Harvard in 1905. He then worked as a professor of history and geography at Yale University.
His marriage to Alfreda allowed Bingham to become part of North American high society and later helped him obtain the resources needed to finance his expeditions, marking the beginning of his life as an explorer.
Hiram Bingham’s Expeditions
Hiram Bingham III lived during the so-called “age of great scientific expeditions,” which took place from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. This period was marked by journeys led by explorers, scholars, and bold adventurers who entered remote and little-studied territories to document their discoveries and gain recognition in Europe and the United States.
Andean expedition: Venezuela and Colombia, 1907
In 1907, Hiram Bingham led an expedition across the Andes of South America, exploring regions of Venezuela and Colombia. Bingham and his team followed the historic route of liberator Simón Bolívar during his independence campaign, admiring for the first time the vastness of the Andes stretching across the continent.
During this expedition, he was accompanied by Dr. Hamilton Rice, known for his journey to the Napo River from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The views of impressive lakes and captivating South American landscapes won Bingham’s heart. As they crossed Venezuela, they faced significant challenges, ending with a visit to the village tavern in Agua Blanca. In Colombia, Bingham’s expectations were far exceeded, leaving him fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the region.
Pan-American Scientific Congress in Chile
During the Pan-American Scientific Congress in Chile in 1908, Hiram Bingham met historian and 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, with whom he formed a close friendship that lasted until Roosevelt’s death.
He later traveled to Peru, expressing his intention to explore the country. He first visited Lima and then continued to Cusco and its surrounding areas.
Expeditions in Cusco: The Navel of the World, 1909
On January 28, 1909, American archaeologist and anthropologist Clarence Hay and Bingham visited the town of Checacupe in Cusco. They entered the Huatanay Valley, located at over 3,500 meters above sea level. In Cusco, Bingham explored numerous Catholic churches and became fascinated by Inca constructions.
Later, he visited Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress whose vast and complex megalithic architecture left him amazed. He considered it the most impressive human-made work he had seen in the Americas.
He was also surprised by the age of the National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco compared with his alma mater, as it was even older than Harvard.
The adventure to Choquequirao: The Cradle of Gold, 1909
On February 7, 1909, Bingham and Hay set off toward the northeast, reaching the Apurímac River on their way to Choquequirao, known as “the cradle of gold.” Following a narrow, winding, and steep trail, they found the remains of extensive agricultural terraces covered in vegetation.
As an Andean condor flew majestically above them, Bingham felt that Choquequirao was the most interesting site he had seen up to that point. The only problem was that Choquequirao was not the last Inca refuge; the true last Inca city still remained undiscovered.
Discovery of Choquequirao
Bingham took this opportunity to measure the monuments, photograph the surroundings, and describe the site in detail.
He also recorded the names of the first explorers who had reached the site before him and left their signatures written in charcoal. The list is as follows:
- 1834: José María Tejada and Marcelino León
- 1861: José Benigno Samanez, Juan Rivas Plata, and Mariano Cisneros
- 1909: Hiram Bingham’s team
The Search for Vilcabamba
After returning to the United States, Hiram Bingham looked for patrons to support his next expedition. He received financial backing from Edward S. Harkness, an American magnate and philanthropist who, impressed by Bingham’s previous expedition and his goal of finding Vilcabamba, decided to support him.
This sponsorship was joined by contributions from the National Geographic Society, Yale University, the National Geographic Society of the United States, and his wife, Alfreda Mitchell Bingham.
Vilcabamba Expedition: The Final Refuge of the Incas, 1911
On July 25, 1911, after nearly a year of preparations, Bingham’s expedition continued its search for the last refuge of the Incas: the mysterious Vitcos and Espíritu Pampa, places associated with Manco Inca and considered the final stronghold of Inca resistance.
They walked along the river to the indigenous village of Chaullay, crossed a bridge, and began to make their way up the Vilcabamba River. Their first stop was at the estate of José Pancorbo.
Upon reaching Vitcos and Yuraq Rumi, Bingham encountered findings that left him with more questions than answers, showing that there was still much to uncover about the final steps of the Incas.
The Rediscovery of Machu Picchu in 1911
On July 19, 1911, Hiram Bingham began the search for a lost city hidden in the mountains of the Urubamba Valley. His expedition set out from the Cusco Valley, following the route of Manco Inca toward the resistance stronghold, passing through the Yucay Valley and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the way to Ollantaytambo.
There, the group rested and camped. Captivated by the impressive fortress, Bingham explored the ruins and climbed them, amazed by the view and declaring Ollantaytambo “a place worthy of pilgrimage.”
On the sixth day after leaving Cusco, accompanied by Harry Foote, William Erving, Carrasco, two muleteers, and two porters, Bingham continued his journey downstream toward Antisuyo, or the eastern region for the Incas, following in the footsteps of the rebel Inca.
The expedition crossed a true tropical forest, and after passing the Torontoy estate, they arrived at the small plantation of Mandor Pampa. It was there that Bingham and Carrasco came across a small house by the roadside, the home of Melchor Arteaga.
Arteaga pointed out the location of a mountain, Huayna Picchu, indicating the ruins on the mountain ridge. At first, Bingham thought the place was too close to Cusco to be Vitcos or Vilcabamba, his original objectives. Even so, he decided to document this new site and eventually hired Arteaga as a guide to climb there the following day.
On July 24, 1911, despite the rainy and cold weather, with low clouds hanging overhead, Arteaga, Bingham, and Carrasco pushed their way through the vegetation and crossed the wild Urubamba River on a bridge made of four tied logs, moving on all fours. They entered the jungle, where the trail became steep and muddy, with raindrops falling from the trees.
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At last, they arrived at a solitary hut, home to the Richarte and Álvarez family, farmers who had escaped the abuse of a landowner a few years earlier.
For Bingham, this place held special meaning. Tired, Arteaga handed over responsibility to Toribio Richarte and Anacleto Álvarez, who in turn entrusted the guidance to Pablito, Richarte’s barefoot young son, no more than eight years old, who led Bingham to the Inca structures.
When he first saw Huayna Picchu, large and imposing, Bingham was amazed by the enclosures he was discovering. That is how Hiram Bingham arrived at Machu Picchu in Peru, an Inca city covered in dense vegetation.
He was astonished by the architectural wonder of temples, fountains, and palaces built on steep slopes. He continued exploring and documented the Intihuatana, the sacred solar clock that marked the passing of the seasons and holy days.
Who discovered Machu Picchu?
The story of when and how Machu Picchu was discovered is a controversial topic. Before Hiram Bingham introduced Machu Picchu to the world, other explorers had already left their mark on the history of this mysterious place.
In 1860, Augusto Berns, a German citizen living in Peru, created a map to locate Inca ruins, possibly made by the cartographer and engineer Harry Singer, which referred to Machu Picchu as the Huaca del Inca.
In 1874, the explorer Hermann Göhring mapped and recorded the location of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba Valley, the Vilcanota Gorge, Ocobamba, and other places. In this work, he created a cartographic document that included the place names “Machu Picchu” and “Huayna Picchu” for the first time.
In 1877, Hermann Göhring submitted his maps as part of a geological and expedition report to the Peruvian government.
In 1880, the French explorer Charles Wiener reported rumors about the existence of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, although he never visited the site. He published his book "Peru and Bolivia," which included a map marking Machu Picchu.
Later, in 1887, Augusto R. Berns organized an expedition with the aim of looting Inca ruins near Torontoy, showing a more commercial than scientific interest in the region.
Agustín Lizárraga, who in 1902 came to be considered by some as the discoverer of Machu Picchu, left his signature in the Temple of the Three Windows, something Bingham would later notice and record in his diary. This evidence showed that Machu Picchu was already known by local people and that some scholars had even published earlier works about the fortress.
- Finally, the Peruvian Carlos B. Cisneros, in 1904, included the existence of the Huayna Picchu ruins in his “Atlas of Peru,” contributing to the geographical record of these important archaeological sites before Bingham’s arrival.
So, did Bingham discover Machu Picchu?
No, Bingham did not discover Machu Picchu. However, he did play a crucial role in introducing Machu Picchu to the international academic world. The traces left by earlier explorers also helped pave the way toward the rediscovery of these iconic ruins. Documents and evidence suggest that several local people knew about Machu Picchu long before Bingham “rediscovered” it in 1911.
Excavations and Photographs of Machu Picchu
One year after the rediscovery of Machu Picchu in 1912, Hiram Bingham faced accusations of trying to monopolize Peruvian history, which sparked an intense debate in Peru over the management of its archaeology.
By 1915, Bingham returned with a team of specialists to clear the forest and create a detailed map of the Inca citadel. During this expedition, Bingham and his team carried out excavations both inside and around the enclosures.
The team included engineer Ellwood Erdis and osteologist George Eaton, along with two local workers, Toribio Richarte and Anacleto Álvarez. Together, they began the demanding task of removing the vegetation that covered the site and excavating Inca tombs.
The End of the Golden Age of Exploration
The golden age of exploration is often considered to have symbolically come to an end around 1911, a year marked by two major milestones: Hiram Bingham’s arrival at Machu Picchu and the expedition of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who reached the South Pole on December 14 of that same year. In a way, both events brought a remarkable chapter of history to a memorable close.
In 1922, after his expeditions and his service during the war, Hiram Bingham decided to step away from exploration. By then, he was already recognized as the scientific discoverer of Machu Picchu; however, his most lasting legacy was bringing this impressive Inca citadel to the attention of the world and helping establish its historical and cultural value on a global scale.
Indiana Jones and Hiram Bingham
Hiram Bingham is believed to have been one of the inspirations behind the character of Indiana Jones, the iconic adventurous archaeologist created by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Both share a similar image: determined explorers drawn to lost citadels, treasures, and traces of ancient civilizations, often in remote settings, facing the challenges of nature and the obstacles that appear along the way.
Looting, Repatriation, and Controversies Around Machu Picchu
After completing his exploration, Bingham shared his findings through an influential article published in National Geographic magazine. In doing so, he became one of the first figures to recognize, study, and promote the importance of Machu Picchu to the world, playing a decisive role in helping this emblematic Inca citadel gain international recognition.
However, his legacy has also been surrounded by controversy. Bingham was criticized for the transfer of 46,332 Peruvian archaeological pieces to Yale University, an act many consider an irregular removal of Peru’s cultural heritage. The report by the INC, now the Ministry of Culture of Peru, details the following cultural materials:
- 330 lots of museum-quality pieces, including 369 objects or fragments
- 3,497 lots of ceramics, including 36,335 objects
- 126 lots of human osteological material, comprising 7,780 fragments.
- 626 lots of lithic material, including 684 objects
- 111 lots of metal, including 126 fragments
- 1,038 lots of faunal remains.
Repatriation of Machu Picchu Cultural Heritage
After years of negotiations, in 2010, Yale University returned 366 pieces from Machu Picchu to Peru, which had been removed during excavation work carried out in the early 20th century. Among these objects were ceramic fragments, lithic pieces, remains of flora and fauna, and other items of museum value.
Today, together with new findings from Peruvian research, these pieces are part of the permanent exhibition at the Casa Concha Museum in Cusco, located just one block from the Main Square and considered one of the most interesting museums to visit in the city.
5 Facts About Hiram Bingham
In addition to being an explorer, Hiram Bingham was also a politician. He was elected United States senator from Connecticut in 1924 and served until 1933.
During World War I, Bingham served as an aviator and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Service.
Bingham was not only an explorer; he also introduced new ways of documenting archaeological sites. During his expeditions, he helped develop the use of aerial photography in archaeology, changing the way ancient sites were recorded and studied.
Although he is now closely linked to Machu Picchu around the world, Bingham was criticized in his time and faced controversy for removing artifacts from Machu Picchu and taking them to the United States. This led to a long debate and dispute between Peru and Yale University over the return of those objects.
Bingham wrote several books about his experiences and discoveries, including “The Lost City of the Incas,” a vivid account of his arrival at Machu Picchu that remains a popular read for those interested in Peruvian history and archaeology.
Few names spark as much curiosity in the history of Machu Picchu as Hiram Bingham III. His journey through Peru reminds us that Machu Picchu, like other archaeological wonders in the country, is a place where exploration, memory, and Peruvian pride come together.
Understanding who arrived before him, who guided the way, and how this citadel became famous around the world allows you to experience your visit with a deeper perspective. If you are planning your trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu, we can help you explore this Inca sanctuary with context, history, and a well-organized experience from beginning to end.
Hiram Bingham FAQs
Why did Hiram Bingham confuse Machu Picchu with Vilcabamba?
Hiram Bingham came to Peru in search of Vitcos and Vilcabamba, the last centers associated with Inca resistance against the Spanish. When he found Machu Picchu in 1911, he believed for years that it might be the famous “Lost City of the Incas.”
However, later research dismissed that idea: Machu Picchu was not Vilcabamba, but another Inca site of great importance. Today, Vilcabamba is associated with Espíritu Pampa, an area located in the jungle of Cusco near Quillabamba.
How old is Machu Picchu according to recent scientific studies?
Modern AMS radiocarbon dating suggests that Machu Picchu was occupied between 1420 and 1532 AD. This is important because it indicates that the site may have begun to be used a few decades earlier than some timelines based on colonial documents had suggested.
Even so, these studies refer to the occupation of the site, not to an exact date for the beginning of its construction.
Who lived in Machu Picchu during the Inca period?
Ancient DNA studies suggest that Machu Picchu had a more diverse population than previously thought. Among the people buried at the site, researchers identified origins linked to different regions of the former Tawantinsuyu, including Andean, coastal, and Amazonian areas.
This supports the idea that Machu Picchu was not inhabited only by local people, but also by servants, specialists, and assistants brought from different parts of the Inca Empire.
Did the Virgins of the Sun exist in Machu Picchu?
This was one of the theories proposed by Bingham, based on the first analyses of human remains found at Machu Picchu. At the time, it was believed that most of the skeletons belonged to women.
However, later reviews showed a much more balanced proportion between men and women. For this reason, the “Virgins of the Sun” theory is no longer the main explanation accepted by specialists.
What happened to the objects Bingham took to Yale University?
The archaeological materials excavated by Bingham’s expedition were taken to Yale University in the early 20th century, which led to a long dispute between Peru and Yale. In 2010, an agreement was reached for their return. Today, the collection is preserved in Cusco at the Machu Picchu Museum of Casa Concha, linked to the National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco.
The remaining materials are still held by Yale University in the United States.
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