The Elbert County tribune., 1911-03-24

fruits In old days maize and cotton we're extern
sively cultivated here and in many of the earliest
graves seed pods of cotton have, been found. 1t
still grows easily in soil surprisingly rich when
irrigated nearby hacienda. apparently CON
tanning the most extensive OF the ancient burial
places is chiefly devoted to the fluffy bolls and
brown stalks of this plant.
The most scholarly and reliable authority
upon Pachacamac history is undoubtedly DR..
Max Uhle, now head OF the National mu-
scum at Lima. To him IL due calculation of
many puzzling anachronisms in this rich region.
and 1t was our good fortune to be accompanied
on this trip by Doctor Uhe-to whom every wall
and angle and brick has absolute significance
The name OF the creator god applied to
sanctuary. town and river. into use only
about 10 years before the Spanish conquest. No
older name has yet been found
Burial places always bring rich returns to
those who can interpret their annals. Here is
an enormous number OF graves not less than
$4,000 to 10000. among them few stall-like
cells much cruder and earlier than the ma jority
Graves are found in the open. in houses In tems
pies. most of which have, years ago, been rined
for the gold, silver and gems supposed TO be in
TERED with the dead.
Previous to the Inca conquest probably at
least two civilizations met a Pachacamac-the
culture Of the highlands and the newer customs
OF the coast After cemetery had been used
for long time the temple destroyed; even
the sort Of civilization Itself was changed
third epoch shows cultural decline inferior
but supplanting despite the general advance of
the Norlo at large. Inc rounding and growth
OF the Inca empire Of the last great
events of pre-Spanish centuries.
Although Pachacanac graves were SO rich in
articles from which the story Of the past can
be read. larger Outlines Of life and custom may
be traced In the ruins Of town and temples
Approaching from tho north one sees the CON
vent. still called by it's ancient name Mamacona
("mothers" applied to the nuns) and sub
tect OF especial study by Doctor Uhle. In the
land Of the lncas celibate were not un-
common. and were generally attached to some
temple of the The mamacona was secluded
on three sides, the front only facing plain and
sea, with entrance openings. No fewer than 200
of these nuns lived here. and they were Obliged
to pass through the inner and outer sanctuary
Of Pachacamac to reach the sun temple
From the convent II Ia best to pass on to me
former. huge structure 400 feet long, 1870 wide
and covering two-thrds of Once there
were terraces on three sides, each 20 feet high
but the sand has SO blown in and over and about
them that they really discernible now upon
only one. Its approaches by 1--WE low and
narrow grades" slightly over three feet high
and SIX in length; the walls once covered with
polychrome frescoee, rich In color and extremely
ancient. though traces of design still remain
The top Of the temple ia a large plateau, $50
feet by $50 1t was at least rebuilt before
the Inca period. and may date from about B. G.
1000; but It is not. in any event. later than b. c.
HOO
The valley. and indeed the entire region was
ruled by a chief ut Pachacamac who had the
right to enter the temple of the highest deity as.