NO. l8 ANTHROPOLOGICAL WORK IX PERU HRDLICKA 39 



writer started for his original goal, the valley of Nasca. The 

 journey by the route chosen occupied, not counting the stops, two 

 and a half days, and showed a number of interesting conditions. 



The first stop was made at the old fortress Huamanmarca. The 

 fortifications were primitive but extensive and before the intro- 

 duction of firearms must have been quite effective. In and about 

 the fortifications, especially on a hill to the northwestward, were 

 found quantities of quartzite chips and rejects, indicating a consid- 

 erable stone industry. A somewhat similar condition had been 

 seen at and above Asto. No finished implements were discovered, 

 but, according to the natives, arrow points, larger worked blades, 

 star-shaped club heads and other articles of stone are occasionally 

 found by the children, or in working the fields. The writer saw 

 no traces of stone manufacture along the coast, or in the mountains 

 of Huarochiri. 



Late in the afternoon of the same day, a narrow but at this time 

 of the year dangerous river was passed, the most southern affluent 

 of the Rio Nasca. On the subordinate elevations just to the north 

 of the river were seen crude stone ruins, evidently untouched, of a 

 moderate-sized settlement, with some burials ; and that night another 

 remarkable fortified hill was reached, known as Llaxwa. 



The Llaxwa ruins (pi. 17) consist of stone remains of terraces, for- 

 tifications, and dwellings. The hill which they cover is easily ap- 

 proached from the east, but dominates the lower mountainous land 

 on all other sides. The ruins are in a poor state of preservation ; it is 

 seen however that they have not yet been thoroughly despoiled and 

 contain some untouched burials. The stone masonry, while showing 

 care, is not of high order. No cement was used, and there are no 

 imposing edifices. At the distance of about half a mile to the east 

 from these stone structures, on high sloping ground, exist two groups 

 of burial houses, not as long, but otherwise considerably like those de- 

 scribed before from the district of Huarochiri (pi. 18). Unfortu- 

 nately, these houses have been visited long ago by the treasure hunt- 

 ers, who have left little except fragments of the bones ; nevertheless 

 by excavation numerous specimens could probably still be dis- 

 covered. The remains of the crania show without exception the 

 " Aymara" deformation. A few huts about the Llaxwa ruins are 

 now occupied by Quechua speaking mixed breeds, who seem to know 

 nothing about the history of the locality. 



