New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27

shells as cymbals-
The great abundance of gold and silver in tho
time of the Incas and their skill in soldering and
fashionng these metals are exhibited by the hun
dreds of rich personal ornaments, fgurines and
ceremonial objects wrested from burial places
Mosaic work on Shells supplemented by wide
bands OF gold, the ends terminating in a parrots
head Were evidently common household adorn-
ments number of such being recovered Neck
laces of golden balls, each ball OF a diameter
equalling that Of a twenty-five cent piece, were
evidently worn by the Inca maidens. Drinking
or ceremonial cups over foot high, of pure sill
yer. and some half that length In solid gold
wrought into portraits, attest the wealth and
lavishness which fourished among the people.
Instead OF sacrificing the living llama, often
large and beautifully constructed figures Of this
animal IN solid silver were deposited in graves
offering.
Most Of these buried treasures were unearthed
in the high Bolivian plateau in the region around
tant from this lake was located Cuzco the sa-
cred capital and acropolis Of the Inca empire.
Here lived the great rulers and the most ceIe-
DRAFTED artisans of every handicraft, who pro-
fusely ornamented the imposing temples and
other edifices with statues and furnishings OF
gold and silver. The population Of this metrop-
oils Of ancient Peru. according to Mr.. BandeIier,
Is said to have numbered sixty thousand sew
enty thousand The whole city was built around
an immense courtyard or square, apd contained
many large buildings and palaces. constructed
OF huge well cut stones Some are Of such stu
pendous size and dimensions as would test the
best skill OF a modern contractor to transport
and put in place. In most cases no mortar was
used. the stability of the building depending
the skill in hewing and close joining OF the stone
blocks
MI Bandeler gives and vivid pen
picture of the little known social organization
OF the Incas In one sense It was almost a
utopia There was taxation, and to each
man was portioned out a dwelling site and
large area Of Land to till and cultivate for the
support OF his family. Agriculture the
chief pursuit followed, the raising of cotton.
beans. maize and cocoa, and the domestication
OF the llama and alpaca supplied wool for weav-
ing purposes The territory OF the Incas was
gradually increased as they conquered and an
nexed the lands of distant tribes. These In turn
absorbed the superior culture OF their con-
querors. This continued until their domain in
cluded all Bolivia and extended to the western
coast Of Peru and north to the line OF Ecuador
and southwark almost to the borders of Chilli
and Argentina. The whole tribe was divided
into numerous clans. The powers of admins
tration were centred in one great dignitary, who
was the military leader and also head of the
religious system. There was also a council of
chiefs and advisory class of mobiles. These Of
fees were not hereditary and could not be
occupied by unless they specially
fitted by merit for the position. The succession
of the King Inca did not fall upon the shoul-
ders OF his oldest child This due TO the
clan organization. which governed both the fam
lily and affairs of state
Inheritance by mother right
could not marry a woman of his own clan,
but had to select one from another. This was
the main unit for holding the tribe together. for
often one individual had to support sisters
and relatives of ether clans living in remote To-
calities. Woman had voice in public affairs,
but ruled supreme the home She was admit
ted to the secret societies. Of which there were
many. They also practised healing and became
priestesses. Many complicated and elaborate
ceremonial and religious rites were observed.
and frequent sacrifices offered up to their
deites. Contrary to statements hitherto made.
the sun not the chief object OF
worship, according to Mr.. Bandelier. but
the moon, stars, thunder, lightning and
many natural objects and phenomena were in
cluded in their religious code. Behind and
above all these they recognized sort of Gre
ator or Supreme Being. In the city of Cuzco
some forty shrines and sanctuaries have been
found
To what height the Inca civilization would
have reached had 1t been allowed to follow out
Of 10 n