posted March 16, 2003 12:54 PM         

I hadn't
Hmmm I wonder how many "lost civilizations there are?

Here's an article about selected expeditions, conducted in Peru's Dept. Of Amazonas by Gene Savoy, Frank Ciampa and Dr. Gary Ziegler.....

A very brief history of the Chachapoyans. Please note that the claim of the Chachapoyans being connected to other civilizations and the claim of them being "Caucasian-like" is in dispute.

Who were the Chachapoyans?

The Chachapoyan Federation once dominated the jungle-covered Montana region of northeastern Peru. They existed in Peru for at least a thousand years (c. 600 A.D.), but some Peruvian officials have claimed at least 2300 years. Spanish and Incan chroniclers made only brief and vague references to them, but they described them physically as being tall and fair skinned (the remains of their mummies verify this). Some have speculated that their land was the Biblical Ophir, others that they were the descendants of Phoenician, Egyptian, Celtic or even Atlantean colonists (they have access to the Atlantic via the Maranon and Amazon rivers). They may have been the "cousins" of the Incas and/or Chavin. There is also the possibility that the Caucasian race migrated both to America and Europe from some third location.

The Chachapoyans were conquered by the Incas around 1475-1480 A.D. by Topa Inca (also known as Tupac Inca and Tupac Yupanqui). Ironically, the Chachapoyans goodwill towards the Chancas may have led to their downfall. The Chancas were the archenemies of the Incas and most were wiped out by the Incas; but some took refuge in the southern portions of the Chachapoyan confederation. Years later the Incas pursued the Chancas by building a military road in the area (Von Hagen wrote that, "Hate and fear had built this road."). Unfortunately, this road also gave access for the mighty armies of the Inca to the cities of the Chachapoyans.

When the Spaniards arrived the Chachapoyans first fought with them against the Incas as allies and then against them. Many Chachapoyans probably died from the European brought small pox virus which devastated Peru just before Pizarro's landing. In December of 1532, a detachment of Spaniards under Hernando de Soto first visited the area. The Chachapoyans held out against the Spaniards with the Incas of Vilcabamba and were not completely conquered until the capture of the last Inca, Tupac Amaru, in 1572 (or possibly later). Evidence of their independence and alliance with the Neo-Incan Empire can be seen from the recently discovered Chachapoyan/Incan tombs at Leimebamba near the heart of the Chachapoyan lands.

Although little is known about them, the region is stilled filled with the remains of their circular buildings, temples, and forts. What they left behind suggests that they were a very religious or mystical race.

Their vast jungle and mountain kingdoms virtually disappeared during the Spanish conquest of Peru. They are to this day an enigmatic people who were nearly forgotten by time.