South America | Page 3

number of
relics, it is true, prove the existence of an early form of civilization, the
most numerous being found, as would naturally be expected when the
nature of the country is considered, in the valleys and the coasts. These
relics take the forms of food substances and kitchen utensils, and are
known as "kitchen-middens," and beyond these rude fireplaces have
been found.
In 1874 the skeleton of a tall man was discovered in a volcanic layer
which is supposed to have belonged to a later period. The dwelling in
which it was found showed a distinct advance in civilization. It was
constructed of rocks joined together by means of clay, and roofed with
plaited straw. One of the most notable objects found by the side of this
man was a well-fashioned cotton purse, filled with wheat and other
grain. In various neighbourhoods remnants of pottery and cloth gave
evidence of these later stages. After this it is supposed that a great
invasion of Peru occurred, and that the race which preceded the Incas
took possession of the land.

It will be most fitting to deal first of all with the Incas, the most highly
civilized race of the Continent. The head-quarters of this nation were to
be found in Peru and Bolivia. The capital of the whole Empire was
Cuzco, a town situated at some distance to the north of Lake Titicaca.
Lake Titicaca is generally held to have been the cradle of the race, and
it is in this neighbourhood and on the shores of the lake that some of
the most notable of the Inca ruins are to be met with.
There is no doubt that the great majority of these stupendous
monuments of a former age were not the actual handiwork of the Incas.
It is now considered practically certain that these Incas, themselves
enlightened and progressive, were merely using the immense structures
both of material masonry and of theoretical civilization left behind by a
previous race whom the Children of the Sun had conquered and
subdued. It is not improbable that this race was that of the Aymaras; in
any case it is certain that the Empire of the Incas was not of old
standing, and that they had not occupied the countries they held for
more than a few hundred years before the advent of the Spaniards.
[Illustration: MANCO CAPAC, THE LEGENDARY FOUNDER OF
THE INCA EMPIRE, COLLECTING HIS PEOPLE FOR THE
WORK OF BUILDING THE CITY OF CUZCO.]
The Incas possessed a very definite theory concerning the origin of
their tribe. Sun-worshippers, they loved to think that they themselves
were descended from a chance fragment of that terrible and blazing
luminary. Thus their religion had it that the first Inca was a child of the
Sun who came down to earth in company with his sister-wife. The spot
they chose was an island on Lake Titicaca. Here they alighted in all
their brilliancy, and the Indians of the neighbourhood gathered about
them and fell at their feet, receiving them as rulers with infinite
gratitude. This first Inca, whatever may have been his real origin, was
undoubtedly known as Manco-Capac, and his sister-wife was known as
Mama-Oclle. Manco-Capac represented the first of a dynasty of
thirteen Emperors, the last of whom suffered at the hands of Pizarro.
Until the end of their race these Incas had retained a considerable
degree of the sacred character with which tradition had invested the

first of their line. The person of the Emperor was, indeed, worshipped
as a demi-god. Justified by tradition, he had the privilege of marrying
his sister. It is curious to remark here the resemblance in the customs of
the Incas and the Pharaos.
An alternative theory of the origin of the Inca race, although not
authoritative, is worthy of note. W.B. Stevenson, in a work published in
1825, states that a curious tradition was related to him by the Indians in
various parts of Peru. According to this the progenitor of the royal
Incas was an Englishman who was found stranded on the coast by a
certain cacique of the name of Cocapac! The cacique took the stranger
to his home, and the Englishman married the chieftain's daughter. From
this union sprang a boy, Ingasman Cocapac, and a girl, Mama-Oclle.
These were both of fair complexion and hair.
Shortly after the birth of these children their parents died, and the boy
and girl were left in the care of their grandfather, Cocapac. The nature
of this latter appears to have been extraordinarily calculating and astute.
He saw in the children a phenomenal opportunity for the glorification
of his family. First of all he instructed the youngsters for years in the
playing of their parts; then, when adult, he took them to Cuzco and
posted them on