TOPOGRAPHY OF PERU. 331 



COLPA CaJAMARCA HUALGAYOC. 



In the upper Maranon valley, whicli is disposed parallel with the coast of 

 North Peru, the thinly scattered populations have been unable to found any 

 important towns, although it is evident from the numerous ruins that this region 

 was far more densely peopled under the Incas than at present. Here are seen 

 the remains of large cities, such as Colpa [Haaniico Viejo) on a western headstream 

 of the Marafjon, said to have been " three leagues " in circumference. Castillo, as 

 the chief ruin is called, is a vast structure of shingle embedded in clay, decorated 

 on its outer face with animal figures. This " castle," the palaces, temples and 

 baths of this ancient city date probably from a civilisation anterior to that of the 

 Incas. 



Chavin de Huantar, on another affluent of the Maranon, was also a great city, 

 above which rises a two-storied stronghold which is reported to contain a labyrinth 

 of underground galleries. Here is a carved block representing a human monster, 

 whose hair is represented by coiling snakes, and who grasps snakes in both hands, 

 either the " Genius of Evil," or, more probably, the " God of Thunder." Here is 

 also a superb bridge of Roman solidity still in use, formed of three slabs 20 feet 

 long resting on strong stone abutments. 



The old road of the Incas may still be clearly traced for a great part of its 

 course, running north-eastwards in the direction of Pomabamba and Hanmachuco, 

 the latter a modern place dominated by an old Inca castle. These remote districts 

 have made no progress since the days of the Inquisition ; so recently as 1889 a 

 witch was burnt alive in the public square of Iluamachuco. 



Cfijamarca, metropolis of the Central Quichuas, and chief stage of the couriers 

 between Cuzco and Quito, lies in the Sierra at an altitude of 9,385 feet. Towards 

 the south-east is seen the breach through which will pass the railway, now in 

 progress, which is to connect Cajamarca with the port of Pacasmayo on the 

 Pacific. In the district are some ruins dating from Inca times, including the 

 remains of Atahuallpa's palace, the block on which he is supposed to have been 

 sacrificed, and the chamber where was to be deposited his ransom, estimated at 

 £800,000. About three miles from the town are some sulphurous thermal waters 

 at a temperature of 129" Fahr , where the Emperor was keeping his fast, surrounded 

 by 30,000 men, when Pizarro, at the head of his small band, penetrated into the 

 neighbouring city. The spring, which is supposed to rise from the infernal 

 regions, is visited in procession on the great feasts and purified with holy water. 

 CaJnmarqiiiUa (" Little Cajamarca"), on the opposite side of the Maranon, was also 

 an Inca city, and later a centre of the Indian missions. 



The district where the invaders found so much booty is one of the chief 

 mining regions of Spanish America. The rugged escarpments encircling Hual- 

 gayoc (11,880 feet) are pierced with hundreds of shafts, from which silver ores 

 have been and still are extracted. Next to Cerro de Pasco, Hualgayoc is the 

 chief silver-mining centre in Peru ; but this place has lost much of its importance 

 from the lack of easy communications, the rigorous climate and the depreciation 



