Weird NewsBEAT THE ANCHOR

Which civilization built Machu Picchu?

Wikipedia says the Inca site dates to about fourteen fifty, and is believed to have been an emperor's estate, though no written records confirm it.

On air: Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell on The Weekend Shift
Published 12:48 AM ET, Sunday, October 18, 2026

Photo: Draceane · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

▶ As it aired · Weird News

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell on this story, from The Weekend Shift at 12:48 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Wikipedia's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Draceane · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Machu Picchu — Photo: Draceane · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

At a glance

First reported by Wikipedia: “Which civilization built Machu Picchu?”
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 12:48 AM ET on The Weekend Shift, by Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WikipediaWhich civilization built Machu Picchu?

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBeat the Anchor. A history question, and a contestant who has never once been asked to wait.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhich civilization built Machu Picchu? A, the Aztecs. B, the Maya. C, the Olmecs. D, the Inca.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOh, I love this one! I already know it's one of those, and I feel great.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorChat, play along. Ten seconds on the clock, Chip.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, well, I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere that the Maya built all the famous ruins, so I'm going with that.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd they sold me my hiking socks, so they know their stuff. That's two for the Maya.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFinal answer, B, the Maya!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe answer is D, the Inca. Per Wikipedia, it was built around fourteen fifty, probably as an estate for the emperor Pachacuti.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAn estate? So nobody was selling socks?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe source doesn't say. Your poster guy has not been consulted.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore Weird News →

More Shorts

All videos →

Photo: Rich Childs · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsAngel Falls, the tallest uninterrupted waterfall, is in which country?Read the story
Photo: Collision Conf · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsWrestleDream 2026 preview: Tony Khan and AEW's bizarre new gimmickRead the story
▶ Animal Cam · Weird NewsSea Otters Float Calmly While a Mystery Human Arm AppearsAbout this segment
Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsMassive 70lb bulldog sheds pounds and gets a new homeRead the story
Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsPrehistoric burial site stuns archaeologists with remarkable discoveryRead the story
▶ Viral Video Breakdown · Weird NewsKilauea's 55th Eruption: Lava Rushing to Beat the LoopAbout this segment
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsSpecies diversity of edible mushrooms III: new species of LaccariaRead the story
Photo: Jason Hollinger · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsLichen Lost Since 1925 Rediscovered as New Species, and a Second One…Read the story
▶ Animal Cam · Weird NewsSea Otters Float in Peace Until a Mysterious Arm Shows UpAbout this segment
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsThe BBN Mailbag: "Is L real at mario 64"Read the story