The Appeal., 1911-03-25

have been peculiarly the object of early fanat1-
cism no less than of treasure hunters, which de-
spite the rainless climate made of it a more COM
plete ruin even than others in Peru. Smaller
than the later sun temple of the Incas, it was
more gorgeous. Not only painted with designs IN
many tints it was also, quite certainly, ncrusted
with precious stones and gold presented Dy the
Inca Hvaina Qhapaj
OF the ancient city at least one-quarter was
occupied by the temple district and the remainder
divided by cross streets, 13 and l6 feet w1de
with courts and buildings of palatial- proportions
In the city are four hills, the walls encrclng it
all completely On the northwest these barriers
were from II to 13 feet high and in general feet
broad, although this in places increased to 16
Vast crowds must have filled the city at many
times, for the wide adobe housetops and walls
which were used constantly by pedestrians, are
worn perfectly smooth on certain thoroughfares
by the constant passing of multitudes. -,
Outside the city walls is widespreading desert,
will distant only half mile), not less than
20 feet wide and 475 yards long, still curving
around the despoiled riches it once protected.
OF all this great ruined area the sun temple
Itself Is most conspicuous, rising 300 feet above
the general level on series Of terraces; four
the northeast and northwest, five the south
east
The modern history of this most interesting
region begins with the journey of fernando Pi-
zarro, ordered by his more famous brother in 1888
to capture the temple treasures of Pachacamac.
Pizarro had heard of it's splendors at Cajamarca,
sWnen tne inca Atanualpa had told MIN that ten
days away on the road to Cuzco" was mosque"
chief sanctuary of whole people, and held in
highest reverence by himself and his father,
Huaina Capac; and that it contained vast treasure
In gold and silver offerings. But fernando Pi-
zarro travelled only about 16 miles a day, taking
% days to cover the $40 miles; whereas the swift
Indian runners bore messages of warning in far
less time Zone old Indian once ran from La Paz
to Tacna, 100 miles, in three days), and much Of
the golden treasure was removed or concealed
before his arrival. Enough remained however
for colossal riches.
So His conquest was complete reaching the
sanctuary. He at once demolished the shrine Of
the temple Of Pachacamac, and It's most sacred
idol, in presence of the whole people assembled,
raising cross upon the debris. Thus began the
decline of what was once so splendid and 80 vital
a part Of the early life.
After taking Cuzco Francisco Pizarro came in
1884 to Pachacamac holding wild orgies in the
sacred courts and still further horrifying people
already crushed and outraged.
The final struggle came however and the de-
population Of the entire valley began, in the wars
dians IN q futile death struggle with Spain. After
actually and metaphorically; Franciscans. Angus
Hnians Jesuits came successfully to the valley,
and its distinctive history was past .s
4e But the keenness OF archaeological vision has
made the old days live again, has yitalized the
ancient faith and brought before modern eyes tho
actual daily life and worship Of these prehistoric
tribes, whose whitened skulls still cluster about
their violated shrine.