[Yulee]

Who were those steps built for?
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They planted crops on those steps. Notice the regular steps to the side. If you visit Machu Picchu, and Peru in general, you will see many, with crops growing.

Different crops were grown at different altitudes.

[LonePalm]

re: Machu Picchu

FWIW - My maternal grandfather was a friend of Hiram Bingham III.

He served as anthropologist and medical doctor for the 1914 expedition to Machu Picchu.

WWG1WGA

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)