Google Earth Model of Machu Picchu

A detailed 3D Google Earth model of the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu has been created using data from a laser scan of the site conducted by the University of Arkansas (see below). The model contains every building, every structure and every terrace in the entire city and is accurate to within 10cm (4") over most of the site.

The model also includes all structures and terraces at the top of Wayna Picchu, the mountain that is in the background in most photos of Machu Picchu.

The video includes a series of photos of Machu Picchu together with screen shots of the model to show the accuracy of the model.

(The dark coloured texturing of the grass etc. is taken directly from the Google Earth satellite image, which is required by Google.)

There is a stereoscopic 3D version of the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68DHzx...

Data developed under the authority of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura, Vladimir Dávila - Arquitecto del P.A.N Machu Picchu, Director del P.A.N Machu Picchu Direccion Regional de Cultura Cusco and Fernando Astete - National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu. Data acquired, processed and distributed by the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies staff (Snow Winters, Malcolm Williamson and Katie Simon) and by students in the 2009 Cotsen Institute for Archaeology (UCLA) Cuzco/Machu Picchu Field School, Alexei Vranich Director.

Created by Peter Olsen, Brighton-le-Sands, Sydney, Australia.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[tomybravo25]

humm en el minuto 3:23 parece ver la esfinge al lafo izquierdo =P

[pmolsen1]

What is that in English? Did you say that at minute 3:23 there seems to be the Sphinx on the left???

[sauroid1]

Freaking awesome!!! How, and why did these people build this city. I understand that the stones on this site came from another mountain, and had to be hand carried for miles up steep, narrow paths. The masonary work is superb.

[Isaac Tuncar]

primero:¿tu harias solo todo el modelados desde las chozas, paredes, las rocas y aun mucho mas dificil las dos montañas? con respecto a las texturas yo veo mas de 4 texturas lo que esta bien para ser un pequeño modelo a escala para google maps no se nesecita HD y acerca de las texturas del suelo, google maps las requeria para que concuerde en el mapa. lee la descripcion antes de criticar

[Francisco Tamashiro Castañeda]

hhahahaha facil es criticar...aver modelate eso a escala pz..( si es que es a escala, xq si no hasta mi perrito la hace ) igual me parece un trabajo muy bien hecho, con un poco mas de trabajo, con mejor texturizado y una buena iluminacion y post, quedaria espectacular

[ejayarts]

ancient minecraft

[pollodeayer]

holy shit! awesome work my friend, you rock

[xxxXXXCH04XXXxxx]

yes, he said that

[Marius356]

Great Model, thx.