Reality or Exaggeration? Pre-Inca site Pachallama Hill, Amazonas, Peru. Peru

Submitted by coldrum on Monday, 23 February 2009 Page Views: 2924

Country: Peru A suspected Chachapoyas citadel in La Palma village (in the general area of Bagua-Grande, Peru) was reported in increasingly spectacular terms. But reports suddenly ceased, and websites are asking if this is a minor site with major expectations and a mass media hysteria.

andina.com and other websites describe "Petroglyphs, ceramics, dwellings with vaulted niches, ceramics and cave art" discovered during cleaning [? clearing] work. There are descriptions by archaeological "and Tourism" research groups of a site with astro-archeological elements as well as astonishing natural beauty of orchids, waterfalls and wildlife.
By the time the Latin American correspondent for the Telegraph tells the story, this is a 12 acre site, 1000 years old, with remarkably preserved buildings of the Chachapoya. The legendary "fair skinned" warriors are described, and various postings of the story include either a photo of Revash, a Chachapoya "burial village" featured on archeaological tours of the region, or a video of an adobe pyramid, possibly from Lambayeque region.

The only photos from Peruvian websites are of a small circle of stones which appear to be set in place without mortar, and only a few feet high. A Spanish language website, MundoHistoria [English translation], suggests a gross exaggeration of the initial facts. And other webites, including that of Peruvian history professor, Arturo Gómez Alarcón have seconded the contention. Supporting these concerns, information on the amazing site (and its tourist potential) seems to have disappeared.

Note: Lost City media blitz during January. Leaves you wondering...

Contributor Bio for coldrum: Based in Milkyway, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Avebury.

<< Gorham's Cave (Gibraltar)

News

Prehistoric village is found near San Pedro River, North America >>