Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-03-29

have been peculiarly the object OF early fanati'
cism no less than of treasure hunters, which de-
spite the rainless climate made of 1t a more COM
plete ruin even than others In Peru. Smaller
than the later sun temple Of the 1ncas. it was
more gorgeous Not only painted with designs in
many tints it was also, quite certainly, ncrusted
with precious stones and gold presented by the
Inca Hvaina Qhapaj
OF the ancient city at least one-Quarter was
occupied by the temple district and the remainder
was divided by cross streets, 13 and Is feet wide
with courts and buildings of palatial proportions
In the city four hills, the walls encrcling It
all completely On the northwest these barriers
were from II to IL feet high and in general feet
broad, although this in places increased to It,
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 multitudes.
Outside the city walls is widespreading desert,
one will distant only half mile) not less than
20 feet wide and ATS yards long, still curving
around the despoiled riches it once protected
OF all this great ruined area the sun temple
itself is most conspicuous, rising 300 feet above
on the northeast and northwest, five 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 Pachacamao
Pizarro had heard Of it's splendors at Cajamarca
when the Inca Atahualpa had told him that "ten
days away on 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 it contained vast treasure
in gold and silver offerings But fernando Pr
travelled only about 16 miles day, taking
% days to cover the $40 miles; whereas the swift
Indian runners bore messages of warning in far
less time Zone old Indian once ran from La Paz
to Tacna, 100 miles, in three days., and much Of
cd
before his arrival Enough remained, however.
for colossal riches.
His conquest was complete on reaching the
sanctuary. He at once demolished the shrine Of
the temple Of Pachacamac and it's most sacred
idol, in presence Of the whole people assembled,
raising cross upon the debris. Thus began the
decline Of what was once splendid and SO vital
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 wars
of Nance Inca, who In 1886 gathered all the In.
dams in futile death struggle with Spain After
that the sands blew In and over the old faith,
actually and metaphorically; Franctscans 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 life and worship Of these prehistoric
tribes. whose whitened skulls still cluster about
their violated shrine.