Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1911-03-24

fruits. In old days maize and cotton were extern
sively cultivated here and in many of the earliest
graves seed pods of cotton have been found. II
still grows easily in a soil surprisingly rich when
irrigated. A nearby hacienda, apparently
tanning the most extensive OF the ancient burial
places. is chiefly devoted to the fluffy bos and
brown stalks of this plant.
The most scholarly and reliable authority
upon Pachacamac history is undoubtedly DIR.
Max Uhle, now head of the new National mu-
scum at Lima. To him is due elucidation of
many puzzling anachronsms in this rich region,
and It good fortune to be accompanied
on this trip by Doctor Uhle-to whom every wall
and angle and brick has absolute significance.
The name OF the creator god, applied to
sanctuary town and river, came into use only
about 40 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 $4,000, among them few stall-like
cells much cruder and earlier than the majority.
Graves found in the open, in houses. in tenn
pies. most of which have years ago. been rifed
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. A
but supplanting, despite the general advance of
the world at large. The founding and growth
of the Inca empire was of the last great
events of pre-Spanish centuries.
Although Pachacanac graves 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 the north one sees the con
vent, still called by it's ancient name, Mamacona
("mothers" as applied TO the nuns. and sub
ject of especial study by Doctor Uhie. In the
land of the Incas cebate women were not un-
common, and were generally attached to some
temple OF the sun. The mamacona 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 obliged
to pass through the inner md outer sanctuary
Of Pachacamac to reach the temple.
From the convent 1t is best TO pass on to the
former, huge structure 400 feet long, $50 wide
and covering two-thirds of an acre. Once there
were terraces on three sides, each 30 feet high.
but the sand has so blown in and over and about
them that they really dscernible now upon
only one Its approaches by five low and
narrow grades" slightly over three feet high
and six in length; the walls once covered with
poiychrome frescoes, rich in color and extremely
ancient. though traces of design still remain.
The top OF the temple is large plateau, $50
feet by 1870. 1t was at least once rebuilt before
the Inca period. and may date from about B. c.
200O but it is not in any event. later than B. c.
100.
The valley and indeed the entire region, was
ruled by a chief at Pachacamac, who had the
right to enter the temple Of the highest deity, as