Gilpin observer., 1911-03-23

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. 1t
still grows easily in soil surprisingly rich when
irrigated. nearby hacienda. apparently
tanning the most extensive of the ancient burial
places. is chiefly devoted to the fluffy bolls and
brown stalks Of this plant
The most scholarly and reliable authority
upon Pachacamac history is undoubtedly DR..
Max Uhle. now head Of the new National mu-
scum at Lima. To him is due elucdation of
many puzzng anachronisms in this rich region.
and 1t was our 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 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
10000 to S0.00O among them a few stall-ike
cells. much cruder and earlier than the majority.
Graves are found in the open, in houses in tenn
pes 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 Pachacamac-the
culture of the highlands and the newer customs
Of the coast. After cemetery had been used
for a long time the temple destroyed: even
the sort Of civilization itself changed.
third epoch shows a cultural decline. inferior
but suppanting. despite the general advance OF
the world at large The founding and growth
OF the Inca empire was Of the last great
events OF preSpanish centuries
Although Pachacanac graves so 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 its ancient name Mamacona
C"mothers." applied to the nuns). and a sub
ject Of especial study by Doctor Uhle In the
land OF the lncas celibate women were not un-
common, and were generally attached to some
temple Of the sun. The mamacona was 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 were obliged
to pass through the inner and outer sanctuary
OF Pachacamac to reach the sun temple.
From the convent II Is best to pass on to the
former. huge structure 400 feet long. 1S0 wide
and covering two-thirds Of acre. Once there
were terraces on three sides, each 20 feet high
but the sand has blown In and over and about
them that they are really discernible now upon
only one. Its approaches by Ave low and
narrow grades" slightly over three feet high
and six In length the walls once covered with
poychrome frescoes. rich in color and extremely
ancient. though traces Of design still remain.
The top Of the temple is a large plateau, $50
feet by 130 It was at least rebuilt before
1000: but II II not. In any event. later than B. c.
100. "a.
The valley. and indeed the entire region, was
ruled BY . chief At Pachacamac, who had the
right to enter the temple Of the highesa deity. a..