30 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS, COLLECTIONS VOL. 6l 



liuaca adjoining the river is a large square surrounded by houses 

 and the other mound. In a northeasterly direction, across the square, 

 is an elevated compound of constructions which were apparently of 

 some special importance. To the east of the ruins extend the burial 

 grounds, which, on account of the difficulty of excavation (the 

 ground being full of water-worn stones), have as yet hardly been 

 touched by the peon. At a few spots where excavations have been 

 made the skeletal remains show the usual coast type of population. 



Acari, and Eastern Part of the J 'alley. — A short distance from 

 Tambo Yiejo is a primitive ferry which transports one across the 

 raging river (in the rainy season), to Acari. This is a small town 

 with mixed-blood population, situated on a moderate-sized flat made 

 in previous times by the river, and extending close to a rocky hill, 

 lying in the shadow of the high slopes behind. The lower part of this 

 hill is covered with many remnants of ancient stone constructions. 

 Just to the east of the hill, following the valley, in sandy nooks be- 

 tween smaller elevations, are found burials, which again show the 

 usual characteristics of the coast people. 1 



A little over a mile northeast from Acari, to the north of the 

 river, is the hacienda Chocavento, belonging to the brothers Orezzoli. 

 Here the writer stopped three days, exploring the neighboring 

 territory. 



Some burials of the coast type people were found just to the east 

 of the dwellings of the peons belonging to the hacienda. Crossing 

 the river once more and following the valley eastward for approxi- 

 mately four miles, a small burial ground was found on the low 

 sandy slope, not far from the stream, opposite the little settlement 

 of Lajoya ; and about four miles farther east, near the abandoned 

 haciendo of Amato, another burial ground was examined. A short 

 distance northeast of Amato on the north side of the river is a 

 small rocky hill, known as C )tapara. with numerous remains of 

 walls of ancient habitations : this will be described subsequently. 

 Traces of irrigation were seen on the south side of the river, but 

 no ruins with the exception of those near Acari. 



( )n the north side of the river in this vicinity there are also no 

 ruins of any account, but at two spots in proximity to the road 

 some uncovered skeletal remains indicated burials. A regular 



1 It is worthy of remark that the first native in this region who could be 

 regarded as a full-blood Indian was seen at Acari ; he was, however, only a 



visitor of the place, coming from the sierra. 



