The Elbert County tribune., 1911-03-24

have been peculiarly the object of early fanat
csm less than of treasure hunters. which De
spite the ranIess climate made OF It more com
plete ruin even than others in Peru. Smaller
than the later sun temple OF the lncas, 1t was
more gorgeous. Not only painted with designs In
many tints. 1t also quite certainly. incrusted
with precious stones and gold presented by the
Inca Hvaina Qhapaj
or the ancient city at least one-quarter was
occupied by the temple district and the remainder
divided by streets, 13 and 16 feet wide
with courts and buildings Of paatial proportions
In the city four hills, the walls encircling 1t
all completely. On the northwest these barriers
from II to 10 feet high and in general feet
broad although this was in places increased to TO-
Vast crowds have filled the city at many
times. for the wide adobe housetops and walls.
which used constantly by pedestrians. are
perfectly smooth certain thoroughfares
by the constant passing OF multtudes.
Outside the city walls is widespreadlng desert
will distant only half me), not less than
20 feet wide and AIS yards long. still curving
around the despoiled riches 1t protected
OF all this great ruined area the sun temple
Itself is most conspicuous, rising 300 feet above
the general level series of terraces; four
on the northeast and northwest five on 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 Pachacamac
Pizarro had heard of its splendors at Cajamarca
when the Inca Atahualpa had told him that ten
days away on the road to Cuzco" mosque"
chief sanctuary of whole people. and held in
highest reverence by himself and his father
Huaina Capac; and that IT contained treasure
In gold and silver offerings But fernando Pr
zarro travelled only about is miles day, taking
% days the $40 miles whereas the swift
Indian runners bore messages of warning In far
less time Zone old Indian ran from La Paz
to Tacna 100 miles. in three days., and much of
the golden treasure removed or concealed
before his arrival Enough remained, however
for colossal riches.
His conquest complete reaching the
sanctuary. He at once demolished the shrine of
the temple Of Pachacamac, and its most sacred
idol. in presence OF the whole people assembled.
raising upon the debris. Thus began the
decline OF what splendid and 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
OF Nance Inca, who in 1886 gathered all the In
dams in futile death struggle with Spain. After
that the sands blew in and the old faith,
actually and metaphoricnlly; Franciscans. Angus
tinians Jesuits came successfully to the valley.
and its distinctive history past.
But the keenness of archaeological vision has
made the old days live again. has vttalized 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