Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-19
EDEN OF THE INCAS.
Birthplace of the Race That Once
Numbered Ten Millions,
AND ERECTED TEMPLES OF GOLD.
Sacred Stone Upon Which Their Adam
and Eve First Set Foot.
RUINS OF PREHISTORIC GL0RIES

fUNO, fERU, september 1U.-Ihrougn
the courtesy OF the Titicaca Navigation
Company, one of the small steamers that
ply the lake was placed at our disposal for
a weeks time, that we might visit the sacred
islands and other objects of interest in and
around this world-renowned body of water.
The name of the lake is of Qu1chua origin,
TIT signifying in that language "The Gate
of the Mountains" and caca, "high rocks
of lead;" SO called, probably because at a
certain place on the old Inca highway the
first glimpse Of its dark blue waters may be
seen between two enormous rocks.
From about this point, little way below
Puno, we set sail one early morning; and
after lew hours run found ourselves an
chored in little sheltered bay which in
dents the high and rocky shore Of Titicaca
Island. To this largest and most famous of
the sacred group the Incas traced their
divine origin, and to this day it is held in
profoundest veneration by their descendants,
because tradition claims that Manco-Capac
and Mama Dello (his sister, who was also
his wife) both children of the Sun, and
directly commissioned by that luminary to
found dynasty on earth, here made their
first appearance.
MADE THE ISLAND FERTILE.
Garcilasso, the most reliable of all the
old chroniclers, tells Us that beside building
temples on the sacred island, the Indians
sought to dignity it in every way as being
the spot where their Adam and Eve, coming
straight from heaven, first planted their
feet. "They leveled its asperities as far as
possible, removing rocks and building
tprraCnq nit - III
earth brought from afar, in order that corn
might be cultivated, which otherwise could
not be grown on account of the cold. The
yield was small but the ears were regarded
as sacred, and were distributed among the
temples and converts of the Empire, one
year to one temple or convent, and the next
year to another, so that each might have
the advantage of portion of the grain
which was brought as it were from heaven.
This was sown in the garden of the
Temple OF the Sun and the Convent of the
Virgins; and the yield was again distributed
among the people of the various provinces.
Some lew grains were scattered among the
stores of the public granaries, as holy things
which would preserve from corruption the
food of the people; and it was believed that
every Indian who had in his storehouse so
much as one grain grown on the Sacred
Islands could not lack food during his life
time"
RUINS OF INCA GLoRIEs.
Titicaca Island is only four miles long BY
six miles wide. There is little village at
one end, where guides may be secured if
needed. From the landing place one
scrambles up a very steep ascent to this
hamlet, which in itself contains nothing of
interest; but just behind it is the first ruin
where. in the golden days of the Incas, all
visitors to the island were obliged to tarry
awhile, to 60 through certain ceremonies
of publication, before being per-
mitted to enter any OF the sacred edifces.
The walls of this structure are OF limestone,
the huge blocks carefully cut and set in
tough clay. The upper part of it long since
fell away, but the lower portion is still
tolerably we'll preserved. The house was
formerly divided into two parts, measuring
35 feet one way and 27 the other, with
broad platform in front of it.
Climbing with some difficulty half a mile
farther up the stony acclivity. one comes to
''The Palace of the Inca, which is situated
oD the brow Of cliff overlooking the lake,
with terraced hill behind it. Its walls
are very much broken, but enough remains
to show the style of architecture, the forms
of the windows and doorUays and the gen.
eral plan of the whole.
THE SACRED BATRTUB.
Close behind this royal palace lies what is
known as "The Bath OF the Inca" basin
Of solid stone, measuring on its surface 25x
45 ieet, with depth of nearly 6 feet. The
smooth walls around this generous tank are
oVer-grown with vines and weeds, and at
one end three little streams of water each
about inches in diameter, still trickle into
it. Though frequently searched Tor, the
source OF these streams cannot be found.
Coming through unknown subterranean
they flow away, after more than
three centuries and half of disuse, exactly
as they must have done tor the convenience
of tine Indian Emperors.
Immediately beyond the tank rises the |
terraced hill which served as one of the |
sacred gardens. 1t was evidently con-
structed with great labor and expense, the |
walls being made of cut stone, as regularly |
laid out as if by the most expert modern |
engineers. Most interesting of all is the |
Sacred Rock, upon which Manco- -Capac and |
mis- consort are said to have first placed their |
feet when descended to earth. There is little |
to be seen at the rock except high wall |
built around natural dome of red sand |
stone.
PLATED WITH GOLD.
For many years none but the highest |
priests werspermitted to come within sight |
Of the rock, which was plated with gold |
and silver and covered with veil, the |
latter being removed only OIL occasions of
The most solemn festivals. The sloping
sides of the hill upon which the lump OF
red sandstone reposes, were terraced from
top to bottom and walled off into platforms.
These platforms uphold the remains OF
many small structures which are supposed
70 have been the residences OF the priests.
There was formerly garden on the ter
race where much of the sacred corn was
grown, and all the earth for its constr uctiou
is said to have been brought on the backs OF
men a distance OF 400 milesl The works of
he Incas were no doubt accomplished un-
Ter the same system as that of the rulers of
.ncieut Egypt, who built the pyramids by
he unpaid labor of the people.
As already mentioned, Titicaca Island
vas expressly consecrated to the sun, Only
bout six miles distant is Coati Island
which was dedicated to the moon and the
Worship of Mama Della. Between the
wo sacred islands lies smaller one. now
,nown as the "Sugar Loaf" A narrow
trait, 700 yards long, separates the Sun
sland from peninsula projecting out from
he Peruvian mainland. in front of which
les the sugar Loaf" with Coat to the
light of it.
TEMPLE TO THE MOON.
The latter is about half as large as Titicaca
sland, and is completely covered with
uins. Besides the great 'Temple of the
doon" and Palace of the Virgins" are
ther ediices supposed to have been used
or houses of publication and residences OF
he priestesses and their attendants. The
noon temple occupies exactly the center of
he island, and a most beautiful structure it