The Washington times., 1914-05-10
GEOLOGICAL EPOCHS
MEASURE C|TY'S AGE
Andes Mountains Are Believed
to Have Risen Under Ancient
Bolivian Ruins.

A city 40 old that even the legendary
lore Of the Incas, who traced an un-
broken line of kings back to the elev-
enth century. is dumb concerning the
people who built It; city which a
thousand years ago had been so long
dead that even song, story, and tradi-
ton had forgotten every vestige OF its
history when Columbus discovered the
New World" Such is the ancient city
of Tiahuanacu, whose ruins are crum-
bling surely, but very slowly. into dust
not far from the southern shore OF Lake
Tfticaca, in Bolivia
THE little present-day village Of
Tlahuanacu Is located on the railroad
which connects La Paz. the modern
capital Of Bolivia, with the port OF
Guaaui, on Lake Titicaca, and may be
reached in about two hours from the
former place. The ruins OF ancient
Tiahuanacu. covering an area of ABOUT
q square mile, are not over half mile
from the village" writes Edward Albes.
in the Monthly Bulletin OF the Pan
American Union.
"A traveller stopping In the little
town. and ignorant Of the proximity Of
the ruins. would be astounded to OBJ
serve the number of beautifully cut
stones built into parts OF adobe huts
of the most primitive character. ana
sometimes forming portions Of a saualid
patio. A doorway to dilapidated,
thatch-roof hut. may have a Intel or
lamb formed by an artistically carved
stone. In the walls OF the little Catholic
church, and in those inclosing Its yard,
these smooth stones. The pedestal on
which Is mounted the stone cross In
front of the church Is made up of them.
while on either side Of the gateway 70
the inclosure stands q carved stone
ldcl whose III es. marled by the rayares
of time. still show the artistic skill OF
the ancient sculptors who wrought
them"
nants of temples. palaces. and great
been large and densely populated
city. Not vestige remains of the
dwellings and less pretentious houses
in which this popuration, must nave
lived These were naturally of a more
temporary character and the relentless
agents of destruction, working through
countless centuries, have obliterated all
traces of them.
chaeologist is-how could a population
sufficiently numerous to accomplish the
building Of such city have maintained
Itself in this region? The ruins are
located 1900 feet above the level OF
the sea On a vast plateau, where the
constant cold prevents the maturing
of corn or other grain. At present po-
tatoes, oca, and some other edible roots
are grown. but the region sustains only
a scanty mountain population.
The city once covered large area.
the great structures were built by skill
ed masons. One stone Is 36 feet long
by feet wide and weighs 10 tons,
another Is IS feet by IS. and feet
thick. Only the monoliths of ancient
Egypt equal those found in Tiahua-
nacu.
The movement and placing Of such
monoliths point to a dense population,
to an organized government, and con-
sequently to a large agricultural area
with means of transportation from
various directions. The only tenable
explanation is that at the time when
Tiahuanacu flourished the Andes were
from 1000 to 1900 feet lower than at
present. Biologists hold that in the
Jurassic and even m the Cretaceous
period there were no Andes and that
through G gradual upheaval they have
been formed in more recent geological
times