The Spanish Conquistadores found and destroyed many ancient Inca cities in their insatiable search for gold. However, though they knew of this city's existence, they never discovered its whereabouts. The city was re-discovered by the American archaeologist in July, 1911:

Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu in July 1911 during his search for the lost Inca capital. The Spanish conquistadors never found this mountaintop city, though they destroyed Cuzco, the Inca capital they did capture. Cajamarca and Tiahuanaco were other significant archaeological sites but not the lost city Bingham sought.