Discovery and manipulations. Some comments about archaeology, politics and the right to the cultural heritage in Peru in the centenary of the ‘Scientific Discovery’ of Machupicchu

In July 2011 the whole state of Peru celebrated 100th anniversary of the Inca city Machupicchu in the Department of Cusco. The preparations took a long time and involved the highest authorities of the Republic. Festivities, shows and fireworks that lighted up the sky over Cusco and Machupicchu on 7th July were only one part of the celebrations. In the background of the celebrations bitter questions were asked about what was it exactly that Peru celebrated? Archaeologists, journalists and residents of Cusco discredited achievements and working methods of American explorer Hiram Bingham, in the first place highlighting the role of Agustin Lizárraga – discoverer of Machupicchu from 1902. The debate that took place in the background of the anniversary celebrations was not limited only to the question who really deserves the honoured name of the discoverer. Some inhabitants of Cusco protested on Plaza de Armas against using the site of Machupicchu by some institutions from Lima that are driven only by financial profits. The anniversary has also been used by academic institutions to publicize the problem of inadequate protection of the Inca site and draw attention to threats, which brings excessive, uncontrolled tourism to Machupicchu.