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IPTC: Caption
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The condor is South America's largest bird, with a wing span of up to 8 feet and capable of flying to great heights. It is still revered as a symbol of power and majesty by Andean people today. The stylized condor rock is a flat triangular rock with carved eyes and a beak, and two white semicircular stones creating a "ruff," a characteristic of condors. At the end of the beak is a small hole through which rainwater or sacrificial blood easily penetrates gravel and rock below (see next photo for a detail view).
The condor rock is set off against the rock formations behind it, which form the shape of two outstretched wings, as if the condor were swooping down to catch prey. "Temple of the Condor" is an appropriate name! The temple is a complex, with many levels and subterranean caves. Below the right "wing" is a small opening with a few steps leading down. However, access to the underground areas has been closed off to the public so I can't say more. However, as you will see from the next few photos, there seems to be much more than meets the eye at Machu Picchu!
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IPTC: City
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Machu Picchu
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