The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-03-23
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bave heen neculiarly the object of early fanati-
cism no less than of treasure hunters, which de-
spite the rainess climate made OF 1t more COM
pete 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 incrusted
with precious stones and gold presented by the
Inca Hvaina Qhapaj.
OF the ancient city at least one-quarter was
occupied by the temple district and the remainder
was divided by cross streets, 13 and 16 feet Wide
with courts and buildings of palatial proportions.
In the city are four hills, the walls encirclng 1t
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 TO-
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 certain thoroughfares
by the constant passing of multitudes
Outside the city walls is widespreadng desert.
one will distant only half mile), not less than
20 feet wide and ATS yards long, still curving
around the despoed riches it once protected
Of all this great ruined area the sun temple
itself is most conspicuous, rising 300 feet above
the general level, a series of terraces; four
on the northeast and northwest, five the south
east.
The modern history of this most interesting
region begins with the journey of fernando Pr
zarro, ordered by his more famous brother in 1888
to capture the temple treasures of Pachacanac
P1Zarro had heard or its SpendorS at CaJamarca
when the Inca Atahualpa had told him that ten
days away on the road to Cuzco" was mosque"
chief sanctuary Of a 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 P
travelled only about 16 miles day, taking
% days to cover the $40 miles; whereas the swift
Indian runners bore messages of warning in far
less time Zone old Indian from La Paz
to Tacna 1870 miles, in three days., and much of
the golden treasure removed concealed
before his arrival Enough remained, however
for colossal riches
His conquest was complete reaching the
sanctuary. He at demolished the shrine of
the temple Of Pachacamac, and its most sacred
idol, in presence of the whole people assembled
raising a upon the debris. Thus began the
decline of what was once so splendid and so vital
a part Of the early life
After taking Cuzco Francisco PZarro came in
1884 to Pachacamac. holding wild orgies in the
sacred courts and still further horrfyng people
already crushed and outraged.
The final struggle came, however, and the de
population of the entire valley began, in the wars
Of Nance Inca, who in 1886 gathered all the In
dians in a futile death struggle with Spain After
that the sands blew in and the old faith
actually and metaphorically; Francscans, Angus
tinians, Jesuits came successfully to the valley
AID ITS distinctive history past
But the keenness of archaeological vision has
made the old days live again, has vtalized the
ancient faith and brought before modern eyes the
actual daily life and worship of these prehistoric
tribes, whose whitened skulls still cluster about
their violated shrine.