Peru -- Primarily Machu Picchu (Dec 2010)

The trapizoidal openings here are niches that probalby once held statues or treasures of some kind. They are probably not windows that were later sealed.

I think the guide may have told us a story about the source of the damage to this room, but (if so) I've forgotten it.

The appearance of the large rectangular block at the base of the wall sure suggest an alter of some type to me. Also, its rougher surface (and the semi-finished appearance in its lower portion) suggests to me that if may initialy have been covered or hidden by something.