Legendary Inca Lost City of Gold Found in Peru?

To kick off the new year, on January 10th 2008, the Peruvian government announced that a new archaeological fortress had been discovered in the area of Kimbiri. It is speculated that these set of ruins that total approximately 40,000 square meters could be the legendary lost city of Paititi. It is also known as the City of Gold and where it is thought that the Inca people hid their treasure from the Spanish conquistadors.

Paititi is also a lesser known city, standing in the shadow of Machu Picchu.

Many explorers, treasure-seekers, archaeologists and adventurers have attempted many expeditions in search for this lost city of Paititi. These include Percy Harrison Fawcett in 1925, Hans Ertl in 1954, and Gregory Deyermenjian with 12 expeditions between 1984 and 2000. Read more on Percy Harrison Fawcett: The Real Indiana Jones.

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Lost City of Gold May Be Ancient Inca City of Paititi

Earlier in 2001, Italian archaeologist Mario Polia reported to have found a missionary report in Rome from Jesuit missionary Friar Andrea Lopez that dated in the 1600's. In the report, Lopez describes a large city of gold, silver, and jewels located near a waterfall and called "Paititi" by its natives. Lopez reported this lost city to Pope Clement the 8^th, and it is thought by conspiracy theorists that the Vatican has conspired to keep the exact location of Paititi a secret.

The city was said to lie to the east of the Andes, hidden like the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in the rainforests of Peru, near northern Bolivia and to the south west of Brazil. However, officials have argued that this new found site is not where many records have indicated it would be, but it is too early to make any definitive conclusions.

The Legend of Paititi and Atahualpa the Inkarri

The legend behind this city revolves around the last emperor of the Inca Empire, Atahualpa (also known as Atahuallpa, Atabalipa, or Atawallpa) and is known as the "Inkarri" myth.

History tells of how Atahualpa was approached by Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro in 1532. After refusing to convert to Christianity, he was captured, forced out of rule, and found guilty in an unfair trial set up by Pizarro. He was then executed after converting to Christianity before his death in July 1533.

Upon being captured and tortured, Atahualpa vowed to one day avenge his death, rise from the earth, and take back and restore the kingdom. Legend says that in response, the Spanish buried Atahualpa's head in Lima, his arms in Cuzco, and his legs in Ayacucho.

It was said that Atahualpa, after having founded Cuzco, also founded the city of Paititi as a hidden refuge city for the Inca from the Spanish. He was said to have retreated here when the Spanish conquest began. It was desribed as being decorated and adorned with gold statues. After Atahualpa, the legend continues to tell that many Inca sought refuge here, along with a place to hide their treasure.

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