<h1>La Bella Lake of the Condors, and its mysteries</h1>

The Lake of the Condors is an archaeological complex made up of six mausoleums, architectural characteristics of the Chachapoyas culture and is decorated with paintings in which were found near a hundred mummies, fine fabrics, ceramics, wood carvings, mates quipus decorated wreaths and various objects of great value. It is located in the district of Leymebamba. To arrive at the scene, used an average of ten hours on horseback or on foot from this location.

To travel around the archaeological site is required to have three days off not only for the dispensation of the archaeological remains but also the wild in the area.

It is called "Lake of the Condors" because the first people who discovered it, say that over the stunning lagoon, whose waters are greenish blue, were visible in previous years flying birds of prey (condors). Around this beautiful Laguna are old buildings (mausoleums) in which mummies were found inside and handicrafts, which have now been transferred to the Museum of Leymebamba.

Covered by cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes, hangs a row of graves on the waters of a lagoon. Concealed in a narrow natural shelter, l00 feet above the Lake of the Condors, the structures remained abandoned for almost 500 years. Composed of six chullpas or tombs, and the foundations of a seventh, the burial site is one of 18 sites documented in the limestone cliffs that overlook the Lake of the Condors. Although workers who discovered the site, in late 1996, removed virtually all of the mausoleum, cut with machetes funeral bundles and destroying valuable context information, the more than 200 mummies recovered, and a number of offerings, giving dates Chachapoyas (ca. 800-1470 AD), Inca Chachapoyas (ca. 1470-1532) and Early Colonial (ca. 1532-1570).

The builders took advantage of a natural ledge of the cliff, modifying, leveling the ground and tilling smaller ledges in the cliff, where they built low stone walls and mud mortar, which served to support the back of the roofs of the graves. Each tomb is about 3 meters high and is divided into two levels by a platform of logs. The structures are essentially runs, built in blocks of limestone seated with mud mortar. All have windows overlooking the lagoon and to the former settlement of Llaqtacocha.

A high bluff overlooking the Black Lagoon Paradise was used by the Chachapoyas as a place for the construction of monumental burial chambers.

Each of the burial chambers housed a large number of bales, for probably several generations of related individuals. Ceremonial dresses rich iconography Chachapoyas and Inca were used as wrappers, along with pieces of coarse cloth. Evidence found shows that the same space was occupied not only by Sacha pujas (Chachapoyas) but also by Inca and Chimu. Indeed, led by Tupac Yupanqui Inca conquered the region around the year 1470. The presence of the Incas could be explained by mitimaes system (whole populations moved away from their place of origin) tended to use the Quechua to maintain better control of subjugated peoples.

Today, despite the seemingly fluid contact in the past argued that people as diverse domains reach the Lagoon of the Condors is not an easy task, even for the experienced expedition. On the road to be bypassed Leymebamba part of swamps, steep mountains and cold and desolate mountain ranges to reach the tangled jungle where these tombs lie, surrounded by fog and partially covered by a curtain of water coming down from the summit.

From the road one can see the river rushing crystal clear, as it passes between huge granite cliffs. The walls are smooth, at impossible angles, small and tight forest full of orchids and ferns. While the road is very difficult, the reward is to arrive at a place where it is impossible not to be amazed. In this neighborhood there is a striking black background lagoon, which is angling and boating, also presents typical vegetation of the jungle.

Tourists can learn about various aspects of this spectacular archaeological site in the museum on the outskirts of Leymebamba.

To get from the town of Leymebamba we travel 45 km to the lake, you need a guide.



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