Hiram Bingham, although not a trained explorer, had a deep fascination for the history of ancient civilizations. He dedicated much of his free time to researching ancient cultures, especially the “lost” civilizations of South America. As a professor at Yale, he focused his classes and lectures on his passions. In 1911, Bingham successfully convinced Yale University to sponsor his expedition to South America, where he aimed to explore ancient Inca sites and investigate the Cusco region of Peru in search of the secrets of the Incas’ lost civilization. On July 24th, using various rumors and clues, Bingham rediscovered the city of Machu Picchu.

Bingham was thrilled when he received approval for his 1911 South American expedition. He carefully planned his journey to locate Vilcabamba, the last and lost capital of the Incas. During his travels, he successfully identified two cities: Vilcabamba and another city named Vitcos. With the help of rumors he had heard and the guidance of a local 11-year-old boy, Bingham was able to “rediscover” the lost city of Machu Picchu. Ironically, while the city was considered lost to most people, it was known to the locals who lived directly on top of the ancient ruins. This exciting discovery not only thrilled Bingham but also led Yale to approve continued expeditions for exploration over the next several years.

Hiram Bingham is often credited with the “rediscovery” of the Incas’ lost city, although several other explorers had reported finding it earlier in 1901 and 1906. Bingham’s expedition was significant because it introduced scientific research to the area, enabling the modern world to uncover the secrets of this lost empire. His work received support from Yale University and National Geographic, which sponsored three additional expeditions in 1912, 1914, and 1915. These subsequent expeditions helped uncover ancient exotic animals, skeletal remains, and various artifacts from the city. Today, Machu Picchu is a major tourist attraction, and Bingham is largely recognized as the individual who brought this remarkable lost city to the world’s attention.