The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-04-27

have ba.n peculiarly the object Of early fanati-
clsm no less than Of treasure hunters which de-
spite the rainless climate made OF It a more com
NO min even than others in Peru. Smaller
than the later sun temple Of the lncas, 1t was
more gorgeous. Not only painted with designs III
many tints, It was also, quite certainly, lhcrusteu
with precious stones and gold presented Dy the
Inca Hvaina Qhapaj.
or the ancient city at least one-quarter was
occupied by the temple district and the remainder
was divided by cross streets, IL and 10 rect Wlue'
with courts and buildings of palatial proportions
In the city are four hills, the walls enclrchhs II
all completely. On the northwest these barriers
were from IL to 10 feet high and in general 8 feet
broad, although this was in places Increased 10 To-
Vast crowds must have filled the city at many
times. for the wide adobe housetops and walls,
which we're used constantly by pedestrians are
worn perfectly smooth on certain thoroughfares
by the constant passing of multtudes.
Outside the city walls is widespreading desert,
one viii distant only half a mile. not less than
20 feet wide and AIS yards long, still curVing
around the d~espoiled riches II once protected.
OF all this great ruined area the sun temple
itself is most conspicuous. rising 800 feet above
the general level. on q series OF terraces; four
on the northeast and northwest, hVe on the SOUTH
east.
The modern history Of this most interesting
region begins with the Journey OF fernando P-
2arro, ordered by his more famous brother In 1888
to capture the temple treasures of Pachacamac.
Pizarro had heard Of its s]plendors at Cajamarca,
when the Inca Atahualpa had told him that ten
days away on the road to Cuzco" was a mosque"
chief sanctuary OF a whole people, and held In
highest reverence by himself and his father.
Huainu Capac; and that il contained vast treasure
in gold and silver offerings. But fernando Pr
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 lone old Indian once ran from La Paz
to TGcna, 1870 miles, I'm three days., and much OF
the golden treasure was removed or concealed
before his arrival. Enough remained, however,
for colossal riches.
His conquest was complete on reaching the
sanctuary. He nt once demolished the shrine OF
the temple Of Pachacamac, and its most sacred
idol, in presence Of the whole people assembled,
raising a cross 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 Pizarro came in
1884 TO PachacamaC, holding wild orgies in the
sacred courts and stll further h%orritying a 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 1885 gathered all the In
dams in a futile death struggle with Spain. After
that the sands blew in and over the old faith,
actually and metaphorically; Franciscans, Angus
tinians, Jesuits came successfully to the valley
and its distinctive history was past.
But the keenness of archaeological vision has
made the old days live again, has vitalized the
ancient faith and brought before modern eyes the
actual daily nfe and worship OF these prehistoric
tribes, whose whitened skulls still clustay about
their violated shrine.