The Palace of Knossos on Crete was discovered by amateur Greek archaeologist Minos Kalokairinos, who, upon uncovering its treasures, strived to hide it from the then-ruling Ottoman Empire.
Popular belief would have it that Sir Arthur Evans, the then-keeper of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, discovered the site which once excavated, revealed the palace of Knossos. However, this is not true.
According to the University of Crete Library, the site was owned by Andreas Kalokairinos, Minos’s father, who, after passing away, left his soap manufacturing business to his two sons along with ownership of the site.
Excavations began in 1877 on Kephala Hill, though these were only partial attempts. Minos Kalokairinos was indulged in his legal studies and business work until his family’s inherited business went bust in 1895.
According to a history report published in Greek, titled “Minos Kalokairinos: The man who led the steps of Evans,” full scale archaeological excavation came about in 1878. This revealed the first hard evidence that Knossos, the center of ancient Minoan civilization, could be located there. This discovery attracted worldwide interest.
According to French historian Bernard Haussoullier, Ottoman authorities who controlled the island forced Kalokairinos to stop excavations three weeks after the major find. However, he did manage to discover storage rooms and a corner piece of the throne hall in the west wing of the palace.
300w, 1024w, 768w, 1536w, 150w, 600w, 696w, 1392w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" data-lazy-src="https://greekreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Throne-Room-in-Knossos-Crete-Cresit-neilalderney123-CC-BY-2.0-flickr.jpg" data-ll-status="loaded" />The Throne Room in Knossos, Crete, partly discovered by Minos Kalokairinos. Credit: neilalderney123 CC BY 2.0 flickr
Andrew Shapland, Sir Arthur Evans Curator of Bronze Age and Classical Greece at the Ashmolean Museum, tells the story differently. He claims it was actually Kalokairinos’ fellow Cretans who stopped the excavation to prevent finds from being taken to the Ottoman capital of Constantinople.
Giorgos Tzorakis, author of A New Guide to the Palace of Knossos, says news of Kalokairinos’ discoveries aroused interest in many other archaeologists, including W.J. Stillman, Heinrich Schliemann, and Sir Arthur Evans, who ultimately excavated the whole palace once the island gained independence from Ottoman rule.
Kalokairinos’ Collection From Knossos
Kalokairinos had a sizeable collection of artifacts which he found during the excavation, according to historian Olivier Masson.
Tzorakis explains that during the violent events of August 25, 1898, when the Ottomans did their best to squash the Cretan revolt, Kalokairinos’ home was pillaged and burnt. His collection was hence heavily damaged. Only the rarest objects, which Kalokairinos had the sense to keep separate, survived.
These rarer objects were amphoras discovered in the western wing of the palace. He later donated them to museums in Greece, Paris, and London to spread public interest in the Knossos site.
The University of Oxford states that at the height of its powers, Knossos boasted impressive luxury goods—including ivory, semi-precious stones, gold, alabaster, and ostrich eggs—monumental architectural complexes, writing, colorful frescoes depicting processions and dancing, and knowledge of craft specializations among other things.
Furthermore, it possessed strong Aegean trade networks and shipping capabilities.
Lost 'Mayan Atlantis’ Just Discovered in Central American Jungle | Luke Caverns
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( Legendary city of Lakamha (600 BC?) and White Dog have never been found but both of them may be located somewhere in the Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas, Mexico. Please scroll to 2:33:59 )
( Ancient Maya city of Yaxchilan. Please scroll to 2:44:44 )
Paquimé is a unique archaeological site in the state of Chihuahua
June 20, 2023
PAQUIMÉ, CHIHUAHUA
If you are looking for a unique and fascinating destination in Mexico, you might want to consider visiting Paquimé, a pre-Hispanic archaeological site located in the northern state of Chihuahua. Paquimé was the capital of an ancient culture that flourished in the desert region known as Oasisamérica, between the 8th and 15th centuries. It was a major trading center that connected the southwest of the United States with the north of Mexico, and it developed a remarkable architecture based on adobe and stone.
What to see in Paquimé
Paquimé is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, and it offers a glimpse into the life and achievements of its former inhabitants. Some of the highlights of the site are:
The multi-story buildings: Paquimé had several structures that reached up to four or five stories high, with complex layouts and rooms connected by corridors and staircases. Some of these buildings had drainage and heating systems, as well as windows and doors in the shape of a “T”.
The ceremonial centers: Paquimé had at least two platforms or mounds that were used for religious ceremonies and rituals. One of them is known as the Mound of the Cross, which has a cross-shaped layout and four ramps. The other one is called the Mound of the Sacrifice, which has a circular shape and a central pit where human remains have been found.
The ball court: Paquimé also had a ball court, similar to those found in other Mesoamerican cultures. The ball court was a place where a game involving a rubber ball was played, with symbolic and religious meanings. The ball court of Paquimé is one of the largest and best preserved in northern Mexico.
The aviary: One of the most distinctive features of Paquimé is the aviary, a large building that housed hundreds of macaws, and colorful birds that were highly valued for their feathers. The macaws were imported from tropical regions and bred in captivity in Paquimé. The aviary had special niches for the birds to nest, as well as water channels and feeding areas.
The pottery: Paquimé is also famous for its pottery, which reflects the artistic and cultural diversity of its people. The pottery of Paquimé includes vessels, figurines, masks, effigies, and musical instruments, decorated with geometric patterns, animal motifs, human faces, and body parts. The pottery of Paquimé is displayed in the onsite museum, as well as in other museums around the world.
How to get to Paquimé
Paquimé is located about 260 km northwest of the city of Chihuahua, near the town of Casas Grandes and the city of Nuevo Casas Grandes. You can get there by car, bus, or train. If you drive from Chihuahua, you can take the highway 45 north until you reach Nuevo Casas Grandes, and then follow the signs to Paquimé. The trip takes about three hours. If you take the bus, you can find several options from Chihuahua or other nearby cities, such as Ciudad Juárez or Cuauhtémoc. The bus ride takes about four hours. If you prefer the train, you can take the famous Chepe Express, which runs from Chihuahua to Los Mochis, passing through stunning landscapes and attractions such as Copper Canyon. You can get off at Nuevo Casas Grandes and then take a taxi or a local bus to Paquimé. The train ride takes about six hours.
When to visit Paquimé
Paquimé is open to visitors every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is 75 pesos (about 4 USD) for adults and free for children under 13 years old. You can also hire a guide for an additional fee or join a guided tour offered by local agencies or hotels. The best time to visit Paquimé is during spring or autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant. Avoid visiting during summer or winter, when the temperatures can be extreme and uncomfortable.
What else to do in Paquimé
Paquimé is not only an archaeological site but also a living community that preserves its traditions and customs. You can explore the town of Casas Grandes and admire its colonial architecture and colorful murals. You can also visit the local workshops and markets where you can buy handicrafts made by local artisans, such as pottery, textiles, jewelry, baskets, and woodcarvings. You can also taste the delicious cuisine of Chihuahua, which includes dishes such as machaca (shredded beef), burritos, quesadillas, gorditas, and menudo (tripe soup). If you want to experience more of the natural beauty and culture of Chihuahua, you can also visit nearby attractions such as:
The Mata Ortiz pottery village: This is a small town where you can find some of the finest pottery in Mexico, inspired by the ancient techniques and designs of Paquimé. You can watch the potters at work and buy their creations directly from them.
The Cueva de la Olla (Pot Cave): This is a natural cave that contains a large clay pot that was used as a granary by the ancient inhabitants of the region. The pot is about 2 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, and it is estimated to be over 800 years old.
The Janos Biosphere Reserve: This is a protected area that covers more than 500,000 hectares of desert, grassland, and forest ecosystems. It is home to a rich biodiversity of plants and animals, including endangered species such as the black-tailed prairie dog, the Mexican wolf, the bison, and the golden eagle.
Paquimé is a destination that will surprise you with its history, culture, and beauty. It is a place where you can learn about the past and appreciate the presence of a remarkable civilization that left a lasting legacy in northern Mexico. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Paquimé and discover its secrets and wonders.
The archaeological site of Waqrapukara has nothing to envy the other Inca complexes in Cusco. Its name comes from a Quechua word that means in Spanish: ‘Fortress in the shape of a horn’. The reason for this name is its immense summit with rocky mountain formations, as if they were two horns. The tour there offers history, walks, beautiful landscapes and all the ingredients for an unforgettable visit. Unfortunately, there are still few tourists who dare to visit Waqrapukara.
Waqrapukara was a religious sanctuary. Its fine constructions made of granite stone demonstrate this. However, due to its rocky formation crowned by two huge horns, and its location at the top of this mountain, it is presumed that it must also have served as a fortress. Seen from afar, it resembles a formidable castle.
The research and enhancement work was done not long ago. The most important, by the Cusco archaeologist Miguel Colque Enríquez, mention that the importance of Waqrapukara is still not entirely clear. Is that there are several sections of Inca roads to get there. In addition, on the way there are other Inca sites such as Tambopukara, Yactapukara and Ayapukara. This could show that it was a very important religious (pilgrimage) site.
However, compared to other archaeological sites in Cusco, there are still not many visitors who dare to know Waqrapukara. If you dare to go, you will find an impressive site, with enclosures, temples, canals, platforms, stairways and more. In addition, you will have to take a walk full of beautiful landscapes. Most tourists go on tour although it is also possible to go on your own, or even camp next to Waqrapukara.
Location
Waqrapukara is located in the province of Acomayo (south of the Cusco region). It belongs to the Acos district, 2 hours 30 minutes by car from the city of Cusco.
Geographically, it is located on a mountain path at the foot of the Apurímac river canyon. Its altitude reaches 4,300 meters above sea level (about 14,107 feet, approximately).
From the canchis to the incas
Research indicates that Waqrapukara was initially built by the Canchi culture and not by the Incas. The canchis inhabited the southern territories of Cusco (current province of Canchis) in parallel with the Incas. Both cultures competed for territorial control.
However, after the Inca war vs. Chancas (1440 AD), the Canchis allied with the Incas and formed part of the Collasuyo region, in the nascent Tahuantinsuyo empire.
The construction date of Waqrapukara is still a mystery. The canchis had to build the first roads and enclosures in a few centuries before the formation of the Inca empire in 1438. It is estimated that under the government of Emperor Túpac Yupanqui (1471 – 1493) the main temples and platforms were built.
Oral tradition brought an Inca legend about Waqrapukara to this day. This legend tells that the Inca general called T’ito Qosñipa, had powerful armies in Canchis. The warrior rebelled against the Inca emperor Huayna Capac who cornered the rebel in Waqrapukara. Despite this, T’ito Qosñipa resisted due to the good location of the place. To subdue him, Huayna Cápac ordered to cut off his water supply. The rebel surrendered. As punishment he was mutilated in one of his ears.
Constructions and architecture
A remarkable aspect of the architecture of Waqrapukara is its three-jamb temples located in the highest part (in the central part of the stone mounds that form the horns of the fortress). These types of buildings are present in few Inca sanctuaries of great importance such as Pachacamac (Lima) and Maukallacta (Arequipa).
The central structure of Waqrapukara (in the middle of the two horns) is made up of a cavern with a window that shows the abyss on which it is formed.
The entire architectural complex of Waqrapukara is made up of enclosures, stairs, channels, platforms and more. In the lower part are the platforms, smaller enclosures and stairs that lead to the highest part. There, in the upper part, are the largest enclosures, the finest temples and constructions (of the Inca elite).
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