Cuzco
Location
Urabamba Basin, the Andes, Peru.
Altitude - 11,400 ft.
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Cuzco - ('Navel of the earth' - The Inca capital)
.Description -
The oldest continuously inhabited city in south America.Cuzco means 'Navel' in Quechua, and was the 'earth navel' of the Incas nations. The excellent stonework, of perfectly carved andesite blocks, along with other construction features, is noticeably reminiscent of Egyptian architecture.
Examples of the excellent masonry at Cuzco - (Right - The 'Stone of the 12 Angels')
Chronology -
Cuzco became the capital of the Inca world in about 1200 AD. (1)
This structure is called the 'Throne of the Inca'
Mythology - The principle myth describes the founders of Cuzco as two 'children of the Sun'. Manco Capac and Mama Occlo Huaco, who were both brother and sister and husband and wife. Sent by the Sun, the couple advanced from lake Titicaca with a golden wedge, which was destined to sink into the earth without any effort at their final place of residence, which was Cuzco. (2). Prescott spoke of the 'white' and 'bearded' men who came from lake Titicaca, and established ascendancy over the local natives. Prescott made reference to the story of Quetzalcoatl's appearance in Mexico, who appears similar and had the same 'mission'.
Alignments - Cuzco is the centre of a network of spirit-paths (cerques), that radiate across the landscape. The son of the ninth king, Inca Pachacuti (1438-1471), initiated a road construction program that ultimately developed over 6,000 miles of road, including one road 3,000 miles long from Quito, Ecuador to Talca, Chile. (2)
References
1). The atlas of mysterious places. Guild publishing. 1987. 2). D. Zink. The Ancient Stones Speak. 1979. Musson Book Co.