pachacamac

Mimi, Carlos's mom, is visiting Peru. Today, we toured Pachacamac, an important ruin just south of Lima.

Pachacamac was like the oracle at Delphi. Important figures from different cultures over the centuries came to Pachacamac to make offerings, seek advice, and consult the future. It was one of most sacred religious site for pre-Inca as well as Inca kings.


When Pizarro captured and ransomed Atahualpa, the king of the Incas, gold pieces from Pachacamac were melted and delivered to the Spaniards stationed in Cajamarca. Upon receiving the gold, which filled many rooms, the Spaniards killed Atahualpa. (On a side note, the Spanish king was furious at Pizarro for ordering the death of Atahualpa. Charles V believed that only a king had the authority to execute another king.)

When Pizarro learned where the gold had come from, he immediately rode for Pachacamac. He arrived three weeks later and made his way to the main temple. Pizarro found the oracle (a carved totem pole) in a small room and was decidedly unimpressed, calling the room moldy and the stick ugly.