Peruvian antiquities

Front matter

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PERUVIAN

ANTIQUITIES.

Dedication

TO

THE SOVEREIGN CONGRESS

OF PEKU.

Preface

The history of nations, or of the times in which they flourished, does not interest,, simply by showing the degree of power and culture to which they attained, and the means by which they were able to subjugate or aggrandize those who were ruled ; but also, by instructing us in the progressive steps of commerce, arts,, and sciences; those mighty agents which enlarge the understanding, develop the riches of nature, remove obstacles, and prepare a people for the enjoyment of rational liberty.

The code which governed the ancient Peruvian nation, dictated by its founder, Manco-Capac, and amplified by his successors, laid the foundations of that public happiness, of which for some centuries his descendants have been deprived : but it was not the basis of that political liberty which moves men, inspires great thoughts, diffuses light, and enlarges the limits of human knowledge.

Its theocratical government took care that the worship of the divinity which they adored, throughout the entire kingdom, should not languish ; it was a means which, as in all the most enlightened monarchies of the old world, was called in, to give security to political power ; — that publio morality should not be relaxed by the toleration of disorder ; — that agriculture and industry should be advanced : — that public works should be constructed and preserved : — and finally,

1* (9)

that no one should be without occupation, and useless alike to the State and his fellow-men. Kings and priests at the same time, the sovereigns ruled, in the name of the Sun, with an absolute independence ; but were not, on this account, placed above the laws of justice and humanity.

To study, therefore, institutions so beneficent, on the very spot where they existed ; to examine their archaeological monuments ; to obtain an exact knowledge of their idiom, religion, laws, sciences and customs, as well as all that relates to the empire of the Andes, was the plan which we proposed to pursue, by traversing the land of the Incas.

There were many obstacles opposed to the successful accomplishment of our enterprise. 1. The political dissensions which have succeeded each other, keeping the country in constant alarm. 2. The diversities of climate, the bad, and indeed impassable roads of the coast and the Cordilleras, the dangers to be encountered and overcome, in visiting long abandoned sites, the close, thick forests, in which nature with such prodigality shows her profusion and fertilizing power, presenting trees which almost seem to serve as props to the vault of heaven. 3. The total want of an itinerary, or of well-informed guides who might indicate to us localities or antiquities worthy of observation : — but nothing could prevent us from prosecuting our design of presenting to the public a work on the antiquities of Peru.

In 1841, speaking of this subject, we said : "We hope some day to have the satisfaction of communicating to our countrymen that the collection is complete and published, which, in our view, is a work of some importance." An aspiration whic , after ten years, has been realized, but not without immense labor and great pecuniary sacrifices.

During some years we have studied ancient monuments, gathering, with great solicitude, all the curiosities of the

PREFACE. xl

cimes of the Incas which we could collect, and giving orders for the designing and painting of all those which were in the possession of individuals, whether Peruvians or foreigners. Having finished this toilsome work, we sought, of the Peruvian government, aid to publish it : not being able alone to undertake an enterprise so expensive. The sum which was granted us was so small that it did not suffice even to make copies of some of the plates, and consequently the manuscript remained in its case until 1850.

Determined that, even at the cost of some sacrifices, Peru and other nations should not be deprived of the collection we had made, which gives, to the first named at least, an accurate idea of the power of its monarchs and the industry of its subjects, we wrote to Don Francisco de Eivero, charge d'affaires from the Peruvian Eepublic near the court of her Britannic Majesty, that it should be published on an agreement made with Dr. Yon Tschudi. How great were those pecuniary sacrifices, the reader may easily determine by a glance at the beautiful volume of plates which accompanies the text.*

After the preparation of the plates had been commenced by one of the most distinguished artists of Vienna, we were informed that he could not proceed with the impression, because of the increased price both of paper and labor, arising from the political troubles of the past year, which had produced a great reaction in all the kingdoms of Europe.

* An atlas of fifty-eight large plates, most of them colored, and all beautifully executed, accompanies the original work. From this, our illustrations have been taken, in a sufficient number, we hope, to make plain the text when the aid of the pencil is required. To have copied all, would have made our English version as costly as the original, and placed it beyond the reach of most readers. — [Translator.]

New disbursements had therefore to be made for the continuance of the work.

At all times, the government, which has watched with interest the progress of everything having for its laudable object the instruction of the masses, and the procuring of exact particulars concerning our history, commerce, arts or industry, has protected and fostered enterprises tending to these results. The larger number of administrations in th? republic of Peru, having among them distinguished men, have been animated by proper sentiments and desires ; and so much the more, as it was seen that the republic of Chili had ordered the publication of its natural and political history, by the indefatigable Mr. Gay ; and that Bolivia had favored, to the extent of her ability, the interesting works of the naturalist, D'Orbigny ; but these feelings and wishes of our successive administrations have been lamentably unproductive, because of the anarchy which has prevailed in the country for so many years. Without doubt, a beginning has now been made to supply in part the want above alluded to.

Dr. Yon Tschudi, a member of various scientific bodies, and a distinguished European traveller, published in 1846 and 1848 his investigations in the Peruvian Fauna ; a work in folio, of seven hundred pages, and of seventy-two illustrative plates, which treats of the quadrupeds, birds, reptiles and fishes of Peru, as well as of other topics (antiquities philology and medicine), being very valuable on the subject of the primitive races of South America. Mr. Prescott, too, with his accustomed masterly skill, has given us a history of the conquest, with documents and interesting details.

It is gratifying to us to record the interest which Don Manuel Ferreyros and Don Francisco de Rivero have shown in the publication of this work ; the generosity with which Messrs. Weddel, Rugendas, and Pentlandt have freely furnished sketches and designs, and the care of Dr. Yon Tschudi in the arrangement of the text which was sent to him from Peru, adding thereto observations on the Peruvian crania, Quichuan language, religion, &c, which were suggested by his own knowledge, his extensive learning, and the abundant books and manuscripts of the imperial library of Vienna, which he could freely consult — elements, alas ! wanting in Peru.

It was not our sole object to give a description of the rains of sumptuous edifices, the sad remains of the grandeur and power of the Incas, of their idols, and manufactures found in the huacas and mounds; but also of the fall of a nation made deeply interesting by its tragical history.

The description of its political institutions, its religious system, of its ceremonies, the arts and sciences cultivated by the Peruvians, may offer to investigators aid in their labors, by dispelling errors which are found at every step in the writings of authors, ancient and modern, who have transmitted to us the verbal relations of individuals whom they considered well informed.

We are not of the number of those blind admirers of the ancient Peruvian culture who have exaggerated the political institutions of the Incas, and the progress which their subjects had made in the arts and sciences ; but as little are we to be classed with those historians who deny the development of the faculties in the primitive inhabitants of Peru, and consider the narratives of the old Spanish chroniclers on this point as mere fables.

A conscientious comparison of these narratives with the remains of Peruvian antiquity, and the deductions thence made, form the basis of this work. We know full well that we are not here offering to the public a work which exhausts the rich material in which we have labored. The difficulty

XIV PKEFACE.

of these investigations, the want of true translations of the quippus in which were preserved the remarkable events of Peruvian history and the particulars of its statistics, and the immense expense which works of this kind involve, can only be overcome by the joint labors of the learned, and the powerful aid of the government. "We will not doubt (to recur to our work) that the Peruvian nation will appreciate our humble toils and our pecuniary sacrifices ; and that they will know how to excuse some slight typographical imperfections, the unavoidable consequence of printing the book in a city where the Spanish language is a foreign tongue.*

* The original was printed in Vienna, for the sake, we presume, of Dr. Von Tschudi's supervision. — [Translator.]

Chapter I

RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO HEMISPHEKES, PRIOR TO THE DISCOVERT BY COLUMBUS.

PAGB

Expedition of Bjarne Herjulfson to America, 3

Expedition of Leif Erikson, 4

" of Thorwald Erikson, 4

" of Thorstein Erikson, 4

" of Thorfinn Karlsefne and Snorri Thorbrandson, . . 4

" of Helge and Finneboge, 5

Arc Marson in Hnitramannaland, 5

History of Bjorn Asbrandson, 6

Voyage of Gudleif Gudlangson . . 7

Hypothesis of Rabbi Manasseh Ben Israel, ..... 8

Proofs of a Jewish immigration to America, ...... 9

Hebrew words in the American languages, . . • • . 10

Hypothesis of Don Pablo Felix de Cabrera, H

Document of Votan, 12

Explanation of the document by Cabrera, . . . . , .13

Hypothesis of M. de Guignes, 16

Investigations of M. de Paravey, jg

Analogies in religions of Buddha and Mexico, .... 17

The Peruvian Trimurti, 18

Analogies in Christianity and Buddhism, 19

Mexican priesthood, 20

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XVI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER II. ANCIENT EraABITANTS OF PERU

Conformation of Peruvian crania, 26

Second form, . 27

Third form, 27

Proportions of the crania, 28

Geographical distribution of the different races, 31

Configuration of the crania of the present Indians, .... 34

Proof that the form is not the result of mechanica^ pressure, . . 36

Osteological anomaly in the Peruvian crania, . ... 38

Note on the Peruvian crania in Dr. Morton's work, .... 40

Chapter III

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE HISTORY OP PERU, BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPANIARDS.

Origin of the Peruvian monarchy from Garcilasso, .... 42

Biographical notice of Garcilasso de la Vega, 45

The sources from which he drew as an author, 47

His partiality, 47

Catalogue of Peruvian monarchs, 49

Descendants of the Incas according to the canon Sahuaura, ... 50

"Works of the licentiate Fernando Montesinos, 51

Chronological table of Peruvian Kings, by Montesinos, . . . .52

Critique on the memoirs of Montesinos, 65

History of the conquest of Peru, by Prescott, . . 66

Considerations on the first Inca, 67

Fables as to the origin of the Incas, ...... 68

Extent of the empire under Huayna-Capac, . . . . . 69

Its population, . .69

Diminution of population, ... ..... 70

Chapter IV. System Of Government, Or Political Institutions Of The Incas

Authority of the Peruvian monarchs, 74

Form of government, ........ 75

CONTENTS. XV11

Veneration of the Monarchs by their subjects, 75

Concubines of the Inca, 76

Titles of the royal family, 77

Court of the Sovereign, ......... 77

The Peruvian aristocracy, 78

Education of the blood royal, . 79

The name of Peru, 80

Division of the Provinces and population, ..... 80

Administrative organization, . . . . . . . . .81

Peruvian agriculture, 82

The order in -which they worked the earth, . . . . .. .82

The tribute and mode of collecting it, ...... 84

Civil laws, 87

Military system of the Incas, . . . . . . . . 88— -

Policy of Incas toward conquered provinces, 88

CHAPTER V. THE QUICHUAtf LANGUAGE

The American languages, 92

Influence of foreign immigrations on the languages of the American aborigines, 93 Analogy of American words with those of the eastern continent, . . 94

Number of the American languages, 96

Differences between neighboring idioms, 97

Common characteristics of all the American languages, . . . 98

The conjugation of the personal object, or transition, .... 99

Particular use of the pronouns, 100

Composition of words by means of an aflSx, 101

Hieroglyphics among the American nations, 103

Chronological list of Quichua grammars, 104

Writing of the ancient Peruvians, 105

Hieroglyphics, 106

Quippos, 109

Specimens of Quichua literature, 112

The Lord's Prayer in Quichua, 113.

Specimen of a sermon by Don Fernando de Avendano, . . . .114

The Peruvian poets or Haravicus, 115

The Haravis, 115

Dramatic poetry, 115

XV111 CONTENTS.

Specimens of the drama Ollanta, 116

Dialects of the Quichua language, . . . . . . . 117

Chapter VI. Scientific Culture Under The Dynasty Of The Incas

The amautas or sages, 125

Peruvian medical knowledge, 126

Practice of surgery, . 126

Mathematics and astronomy, 126

The Peruvian year, 130

The months, 131

Navigation, 135

Three haravis, 137

Instrumental music, 143

Species of Pandean pipe, ......... 143

Tunes of their songs, 145

Dramatic representations, , 145

Music, 145

Chapter VII. Rel5gious System Of The Incas

Primitive worship of the Peruvians, 146

Pachacamac, 152

The worship of Pachacamac, 153

Policy of the Incas with reference to this worship, . . . .154

Sayings of the Incas as to worship of the Sun, 155

Deities of the ancient Peruvians, 156

The Sun, 157

Virgins of the Sun, ... 158

Selected Virgins, 158

The Moon, 160

The Stars, 161

Deities of the Elements, . 161

Terrestrial deities, . . . , . , , . , . 161

Historical deities, ........... 163

Viracocha, • 163

CONTENTS. XIX

The Incas, 164

The Huacas, 168

The worship of the Sun, 157

The gods of families, or individuals, 171

The Conopas, 172

Mode of examining wizards prescribed by Archbishop Villa Gomez, . 174

Divination by external objects, 176

Analogy of Peruvian ceremonies with Christian sacraments, . . 179

Baptism, 180

Confirmation, 181

Penance, 181

The Eucharist, 182

Extreme unction, 182

Holy orders, 182

Matrimony, 184

Chapter VIII. Religious Ceremonies

The festival, Raymi, 187

Sacrifices, • 189

The Mosoc Nina, . 190

The festival, Situa, 190

The driving out of infirmities, 192

The festival, Cusquie Eaymi, 192

The festival of knighthood, or Huaracu, . . . . . . 192

The other festivals, 193

Offerings presented to the Gods, 194

Human sacrifices, 195

Sacrifices of animals, 197

" of vegetables, 198

" of minerals, 198

Mode of burying the dead, 199

The kings, 200

Rich vassals, . 200

The common people, 201

Provisions buried with the dead, 202

Different kinds of corn, ......... 202

Mode of enveloping the body, ........ 203

The art of embalming, ........ . 204

XX CONTENTS.

Refutation of the opinion of Barreda on this subject, .... 205

Natural mummification, 207

Chapter IX. State Of The Arts Among The Ancient Peruvians

Importance of a critical examination of ancient monuments, . .210

The art of cutting stone, 212

Weapons, 212

Knowledge of metallurgy among the ancient Peruvians, . . . 213 Quantity of silver and gold exported by the Spaniards, . . .213

Silver, 215

Copper, 215

Quicksilver, 215

Cinnabar, 216

Artistic use of the metals, 216

Plating, 217

Gilding, 217

Plated works, 218

Riches of palaces, temples and gardens of gold, 218

Manufactures of copper, 222

The art of spinning and weaving, 223

Tanning, 224

The Peruvian Potters, .- . .225

The principles of moulding, 226

Peruvian modelling, 226

Vases and Conopas, 227

Sacred vessels with designs, " .228

The art of painting, 228

Peruvian architecture, 229

Stone hewing, 230

Stones of the fortification of Ollantay-Tambo, 231

Size of the stones at Tiahuahaco, 232

Mode of transporting the stones, 232

Particular houses, ...'.• 233

The Royal Storehouses, •; . . . . , . . 235

CONTENTS. XXI

The Baths, 236

The Royal palaces, 237

The monasteries, 240

The Temples, 241

The Fortifications, 246

The Fortress of Cuzco, 246

The small fortress of Huiehay, 249

Hydraulics among the ancient Peruvians, 250

The azequias or canals for irrigation, 251

The Bridges, 251

Opinion of Raynal on works of the ancient Peruvians, . . . 252