Hiram Bingham: The man who rediscovered the lost ruins of Machu Picchu

Born on November 19, 1875, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Hiram Bingham III was the son of Hiram Bingham II and Clara Brewster Bingham, Protestant missionaries who had dedicated their lives to religious work in the Pacific.

The Bingham family's missionary legacy extended to Hiram's grandparents, making young Hiram the scion of a family deeply committed to service and faith.

The richness and diversity of his early years, marked by tales from the Pacific and the larger world, undoubtedly sowed the seeds of curiosity and wanderlust in young Bingham.

Following his initial schooling in Hawaii, the Bingham family relocated to the mainland United States.

His secondary education began at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in the United States.

This school's rigorous academic environment nurtured Bingham's intellectual growth, laying a solid foundation for his future scholarly pursuits.

After completing his secondary education in 1894, Bingham followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather into Yale University, a decision that marked the beginning of a long association with academia.

At Yale, Bingham thrived, emerging as a dedicated scholar with an intense interest in history and politics.

He received his Bachelor's degree from Yale in 1898, further cementing his passion for scholarship and learning.

Yet, the pull of academia was too strong for Bingham to step away. Following his undergraduate education, he continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at Harvard University, earning a Ph.D. in history in 1905.

His doctoral dissertation focused on the early colonial history of South America, a subject that heralded his future interest in Incan civilization.

Following his extensive education, Hiram Bingham III turned his attention towards sharing his knowledge and passion with others.

His first foray into academia as a professional was at Harvard University, where he began as a preceptor.

During his tenure there, he fostered a stimulating environment for his students, imparting his in-depth understanding of history and his enthusiasm for exploration.

However, Bingham's true academic home proved to be Yale University, the alma mater of both his father and grandfather.

Returning to Yale in 1907, he took up the role of a lecturer and subsequently a professor in South American history.

At Yale, Bingham was beloved for his dynamic teaching style and his ability to bring history to life for his students, often supplementing his teachings with captivating tales of his own expeditions.

Despite his successful academic career, the allure of public service was strong for Bingham.

The notion of making tangible changes within his community and country was a compelling draw, leading him to venture into the realm of politics.

His political career began in earnest when he became Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1922.

However, it was his tenure as a United States Senator from Connecticut, from 1924 to 1933, that defined his political career.

In the Senate, Bingham was known for his dedication to his constituents and his strong advocacy for education and military preparedness.

He played a crucial role in pushing for the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which regulated civil aviation and laid the groundwork for the later Federal Aviation Administration.

Parallel to his academic pursuits and before his full entry into politics, Hiram Bingham III embarked on a series of explorations in South America that would forever etch his name in the annals of archaeological discovery.

Bingham's interest in South America was not incidental. His doctoral dissertation on the early colonial history of the continent had sparked a fascination with its ancient civilizations, particularly the Inca Empire.

In 1906, Bingham organized his first expedition to South America as part of his academic research.

He journeyed through Panama and Colombia, studying the Spanish colonial systems in place and the influence of the Catholic Church on these societies.

It was, however, in 1911 that Bingham embarked on the expedition that would define his career as an explorer.

Inspired by the accounts of an 1867 exploration by a German businessman, Augusto R. Berns, Bingham set out on a mission to rediscover the lost Incan city of Vitcos, the last capital of the Inca Empire after the Spanish conquest.

His journey took him deep into the rugged landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.

During this expedition, Bingham traversed treacherous terrains, encountered indigenous communities, and faced the challenges of altitude, disease, and harsh climates.

His explorations, meticulously documented in his journals and photographs, revealed a vast and rich archaeological landscape that bore testament to the grandeur of the Incan civilization.

The year 1911 marked a pivotal moment in Hiram Bingham III's life and in the field of archaeology as a whole.

While originally intending to rediscover the lost Incan city of Vitcos, Bingham stumbled upon something much more significant.

With the help of local guides, Bingham was led to a site nestled high in the Andean mountains, blanketed in thick vegetation and shrouded in centuries of silence.

This site was Machu Picchu, a city that had lain undisturbed and largely forgotten for hundreds of years.

Bingham did not immediately realize the magnitude of his discovery. Initially, he believed he had found Vitcos, but further exploration and subsequent studies indicated that he had uncovered a site of far greater historical significance.

Nestled on a mountain ridge almost 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu was an incredible feat of ancient engineering and architecture.

Over the next few years, Bingham returned to Machu Picchu multiple times, leading excavations funded by Yale University and the National Geographic Society.

These expeditions unearthed thousands of artifacts, providing a wealth of information about the Inca civilization.

Bingham's discovery captured the world's imagination and sparked renewed interest in archaeology and the study of pre-Columbian cultures.

Machu Picchu's discovery was not just a triumph of archaeology; it was a testament to Bingham's relentless curiosity and determination.

He had ventured where few had dared, unearthing a historical treasure that continues to captivate the world.

Today, Machu Picchu stands as one of the most iconic archaeological sites globally, a testament to Inca civilization's grandeur and a symbol of Peru's rich cultural heritage.

Despite his significant contributions to archaeology and history, Hiram Bingham III's career was not without controversy.

The primary point of contention was the vast collection of artifacts that he removed from Machu Picchu during his excavations.

Bingham, with the support of Yale University and the National Geographic Society, brought back approximately 40,000 artifacts to the United States for further study and preservation.

These artifacts included pottery, jewelry, bones, and other objects of historical importance.

While Bingham believed these items would be safer and more thoroughly studied in American institutions, his actions sparked a long-standing dispute between Yale University and the government of Peru.

Peruvian authorities contended that Bingham and his team had effectively looted the country's cultural heritage, arguing that the artifacts belonged in their country of origin, where they held significant cultural and historical value.

The dispute escalated into a legal battle that lasted for several years, straining relations between the U.S. and Peru.

In addition to this dispute, Bingham faced criticism over his claim to have "discovered" Machu Picchu.

Some historians argue that Machu Picchu was never truly "lost" - local farmers were aware of the ruins, and there is evidence that the site had been visited by explorers before Bingham's 1911 expedition.

Critics argue that Bingham's claim of discovery perpetuates a narrative that overlooks the knowledge and agency of indigenous populations.

Moreover, Bingham's political career was not immune to controversy. As a U.S. Senator, he faced accusations of corruption and campaign finance irregularities, leading to his eventual censure by the Senate in 1929.

After leaving the Senate in 1933, Hiram Bingham III withdrew from public life to some extent. He returned to his academic roots, authoring several books about his experiences and discoveries in South America.

His most well-known work, "Lost City of the Incas", published in 1948, became a seminal text for those interested in Machu Picchu and Inca history.

In 1951, Bingham was appointed Chairman of the McCarthy Memorial Committee, tasked with raising funds for a memorial to honor the late Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Despite the controversy surrounding McCarthy's tactics during the Red Scare, Bingham's involvement in this effort was in line with his political beliefs.

Bingham passed away on June 6, 1956, in Washington, D.C. His passing marked the end of a life filled with exploration, discovery, service, and, at times, controversy.

Despite the controversies that marked his career, Bingham's legacy is fundamentally one of contribution to the fields of archaeology, history, and politics.

Bingham's exploration of South America, particularly his discovery of Machu Picchu, reshaped our understanding of the Inca Empire and left an indelible mark on the field of archaeology.

His work bridged the gap between the present and the past, bringing a once-lost civilization back into the collective consciousness of humanity.

Even today, Machu Picchu stands as one of the most iconic archaeological sites globally, visited by thousands of tourists and history enthusiasts each year.

In politics, Bingham served his constituents with dedication and fervor. His work in the Senate, particularly his support for the Air Commerce Act of 1926, showcased his forward-thinking approach and belief in progress and modernization.