LostWorlds.org | News: South American Archaeology

Find out the latest news about South American Archaeology & Cultures (Andean and Amazonian cultures, etc) such as the Inca, Moche, and Nasca.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Ancient temple used by Incas discovered

art.inca.ap.jpg

LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of an ancient temple, roadway and irrigation systems at a famed fortress overlooking the Inca capital of Cuzco, according to officials involved with the dig.

The site had religious as well as military aims, including 11 rooms thought to have held mummies and idols.

The temple on the periphery of the Sacsayhuaman fortress casts added light on pre-Inca cultures of Peru, showing that the site had religious as well as military aims, according to researchers.

It includes 11 rooms thought to have held mummies and idols, lead archaeologist Oscar Rodriguez told The Associated Press.

The archaeologists who made the discoveries said they believe the structures predated the Inca empire but then were significantly developed and expanded.

Read the entire story here:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/03/14/peru.inca.ap