132 CRANIA AMERICANA. 



Result of the measurement of twenty-three adult skulls of the pure Inca 

 ^ace.— Through the kindness of Dr. Ruschenberger, I possess twenty-three adult 

 heads from the cemetery, called Pachacamac, or the Temple of the Sun, near 

 Lima.* As this sepulchre was reserved for the exclusive use of the higher class 

 of Peruvians, it is reasonable to infer that the skulls obtained there belonged to 

 persons of intelligence and distinction; especially as learning among the Peruvians 

 was an aristocratic prerogative. Six of these skulls are figured on the annexed 

 plates, and by submitting them, together with the remainder of the series, to the 

 measurements used in this work, the following results are obtained. 



The largest cranium gives an internal capacity of 89.5 cubic inches, which 

 is a fraction short of the Caucasian mean ; while the smallest head measures but 

 60 cubic inches. The mean of the whole series gives but 73 cubic inches, which 

 is probably lower than that of any other people now existing, not excepting the 

 Hindoos.f 



* « Four leagues from the city of Los Reyes (Lima) on the same coast, is the valley of Pacha- 

 camac, delightful and fruitful, and among the Indians very famed for the famous temple or the sun, 

 which is in it ; the greatest and richest of all the Indies, which they held in the highest devotion; it 

 was built on a small hill, (made by hand), of adobes (sun-dried bricks) and earth, and ornamented with 

 many doors with various paintings of wild animals. In the same temple there were apartments for 

 the priests, who professed great sanctity ; for when they went to make a public sacrifice, they walked 

 backwards, with their faces to the people and their backs to the idol. Thus with downcast eyes, and 

 much apparent perturbation, they sacrificed human blood, and animals, and birds, and the idol gave 

 replies. The priests were held in great veneration. Many people went in pilgrimage to this great 

 temple with rich offerings; j70 one was permitted to be buried 7iear it except priests, nobles, and 

 distinguished persons, from whose interments great sums of gold were derived ; and at the appointed 

 feasts, great numbers of people assembled, and after the sacrifices they danced to the sound of instru- 

 ments." — Herrera, Hist, de las Indias. Lib. VI, Dec. V, p. 148. 



The statement of Herrera that this Cemetery was consecrated to persons of distinction is confirmed 

 by Gomara. " In esto templo se mandaban enterar los senores i principales, con intento que sus 

 cuerpos se dedicasen a su Dios, i las animas purgadas ia de sus delitos i pecados, tengam el descanso, 

 gogo, i placer deseado en su vida de ellos." — Origen de los Indios, 4^c., p. 334. Madrid, 1729. 



Ulloa describes the Temple of Pachacamac as a complete ruin. " It is divided into three parts ; 

 namely, a palace, a fortress and a place of prayer. Rude as this edifice appears, we may yet perceive 

 an air of grandeur and magnificence that attests that of the princes who built it." And Garcilaso 

 adds that it was built by the Yuncas, a Peruvian nation, before the times of the Incas. The latter, 

 however, are supposed to have embellished the original temple, for their own use ; and it even appears 

 that the worship of the Yuncas and the Inca Peruvians was alike directed to Pachacamac, The 

 Supreme God. — See M'CuLLoir, Researches, ^^c.j p. 405. 



t See Appendix. 



