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Lost City of the "Cloud People" Discovered in Peru's Amazon
A lost city discovered deep in the Amazon rainforest could unlock the secrets of a legendary tribe.
Little is known about the Cloud People of Peru, an ancient, white-skinned civilisation wiped out by disease and war in the 16th century.
But now archaeologists have uncovered a fortified citadel in a remote mountainous area of Peru known for its isolated natural beauty.
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An ancient Chachapoyas village located close to the area where the lost city was found
It is thought this settlement may finally help historians unlock the secrets of the 'white warriors of the clouds'.
The tribe had white skin and blonde hair - features which intrigue historians, as there is no known European ancestry in the region, where most inhabitants are darker skinned.
The citadel is tucked away in one of the most far-flung areas of the Amazon. It sits at the edge of a chasm which the tribe may have used as a lookout to spy on enemies.
This discovery is heartening for the researchers who have worked for decades to unravel the mysteries of the Cloud People, whose vast kingdom once stretched across the Andes to Peru's northern Amazon jungle before falling to the Incas.
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at 21:17 on December 3rd, 2008
The Chachapoyas built several large stone cities in the northern mountainous areas of Peru. The city of Kuelap has an extremely massive building in competition for ground area with the pyramids of Egypt. The DNA analysis of the Chachapoyas has not been reported as yet. This particular group buried their dead in overhangs of cliffs and lofty caves with red markings to mark their existence. Some of the burials' cliff faces have been worked to look like buildings, etc.(Petra on a small scale). These were not primative people. The only written description of the Chachapoyas comes from the invading Spanish priests. The priests were the ones who wrote that they were "fairer" of skin than other natives and that many times their hair was light in color. It seems the Incas, after conquering the Chachapoyas, took their woman as wives or for sacrifice because of their beauty. Still, there are no definitive DNA results as yet made pubic to determine the origin of these people. Many of the people presently living in the areas once inhabited by the Chachapoya are immigrants from other parts of Peru resettled by the government. Recently, one of the highest waterfalls in the world was found in the Chachapoyas historical home area. The area is extremely difficult to reach and entails day long bus rides and walking to reach. DNA has provided the world with a much better picture of our ancestors. They were not limited to staying in one area as was previously thought.
at 08:36 on December 4th, 2008
Marigold -- thanks for bringing up the questions regarding the identity and racial characteristics of the Chachapoyas. Please provide links to any articles/sources you think are worthwhile.
at 12:21 on December 5th, 2008
"The priests were the ones who wrote that they were 'fairer' of skin than other natives and that many times their hair was light in color."
That seems a far cry from being white-skinned and blonde. Was the Daily Mail playing fast and loose with the facts?
at 08:13 on June 29th, 2009
Has any DNA test results been released now?