The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1911-03-23

have been peculiarly the object or early fanatl
cism no less than Of treasure hunters, which de-
spite the rainless climate made of 1t 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 tnts, it also, quite certainly, incrusted
with precious stones and gold presented by the
Inca Hvaina Qhapaj.
Of the ancient city at least onequarter was
occupied by the temple district and the remainder
divided by cross streets, IL and 10 feet VIDE
with courts and buildings Of palatial proportions
In the city are four hills, the walls encircing 1t
all completely. On the northwest these barriers
were from II to 13 feet high and in general feet
broad although this was in places increased to 10.
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 mutitudes.
Outside the city walls Is -wdespreading desert.
one will distant only half mile), not less than
20 feet wide and AIS yards long, still curving
around the despoed riches 1t once protected.
OF all this great ruined area the temple
itself is most conspicuous, rising 800 feet above
the general level, on a series OF terraces; four
on the northeast and northwest five on the south
east.
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 Atdnudlpd ndu lOu MIN Iudt lSh
days away 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 II contained vast treasure
in gold and silver offerings But fernando Pf
zarro travelled only about 16 miles day. taking
% days to 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 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. lie at 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 was once 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 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; Francscans Angus
tinians, Jesuits successfully to the valley,
and it's distinctive history 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 life and worship of these prehistoric
tribes. whose whitened skulls still cluster about
their violated shrine.