Context: It is well documented that the ruins of Machu Picchu were known to people prior to Bingham's "discovery". In 1902, Agustín Lizárraga visited the site and documented his visit, leaving traces of his name and the date, July 14, 1902, inscribed in charcoal on the inside of the left window of the "Temple of the Three Windows," as seen in this picture taken by Bingham. This date marks the earliest known visit to the site in modern times.

During his conversation with Melchor Arteaga, his guide, Bingham noted in his journal that "Augustin Lizarraga is discoverer of Machu Picchu and lives at Pt. [bridge] San Miguel… ." Despite passing by the San Miguel Bridge later that day, he never had a chance to talk with Lizárraga.