Peruvian antiquities / by Mariano Edward Rivero and John James von Tschudi ; translated by Francis L. Hawks.

  • Mariano Eduardo de Rivero y Ustariz
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Peruvian antiquities / by Mariano Edward Rivero and John James von Tschudi ; translated by Francis L. Hawks. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of Chulucanas, not far from Guancabamba, and in the neigh- borhood of Ingatambo, near Pomahuaca. The remains of the road of the Incas near Pomahuaca has but little elevation, and my observations show that it is nine thousand one hun- dred feet lower than those of the Paramo de Assuay. Ac- cording to astronomic latitudes, the distance between them in a right line is forty-six geographical miles, and the higher exceeds, by thirty-seven hundred feet, the altitude of the pass of Mount Cenis, above the lake of Como. Some of these paved roads, laid with flat stones, or, as in certain parts, covered with pebble stones and gravel [Macadamized roads], traverse the broad and arid plain between the sea-shore and the chain of the Andes; while others turn toward the Cor- dilleras. They have way-marks placed at regular intervals, which indicate the distances. It is also to be remarked that for passing rivers and precipices they have bridges of stone or of cords [suspension bridges], while aqueducts supply water to the small towns, and to the tamhos or lodging-places. These two systems of roads met at Cuzco, the great central point of the empire.” The remains of the upper road, which we have measured, vary, in different places, from eighteen to twenty-five Casti- lian feet. The lower road is about one foot wider. The statements of all the authors cited, as to the length of these roads, are somewhat exaggerated. Cuzco, according to Pent- landt, is in S. latitude 13° 80' 55, and in W. longitude 74° 14' 30, and at a height of 10,676 feet above the level of the sea. Quito, according to Oltmanns, is in 0° 14' 00 S. lati- tude, and 81° 40' 38 W. longitude, which would make the distance between them, in a direct line, a little more than three hundred leagues ; if to this ’ve add for the continuation of the road northward from Quito to Dehuaca, and for neces- sary turnings, one hundred leagues, we have a total of four
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