Peru – The first dash in my glass,

As a travelling Archaeologist I globetrot to many places. When I first started travelling I never imagined I would visit some of the places I have ended up standing in. Peru was my first, it was a means to learn more of the history discovered there.

My first entry, I have tidied it up, I have included every text pre printed on the page I filled out my journal entry…after closer observation it would appear that my journal entry is somewhat ragged and has scruffy rushed handwriting, so I typed it up, here is the page layout and exactly what I wrote:

Name: Kali Mystri

Age: 15

Date: 12/07/1994

Location: Peru, Machu Picchu

Journal entry one.

Please include descriptions of findings, the location that you are in, the date, the group leaders name, your school or college or university.

Journal entry 01

I am here in Peru, following a group led by my Father Richard Mystri. We learn of a American historian who discovered Machu Picchu in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, we also learn of a German man called Augusto Berns who had discovered it in 1867. Father says that there is strong evidence that a British missionary, called Thomas Payne, and a German engineer, J. M. von Hassel, arrived earlier than Hiram, and he also says that maps found by historians show references to Machu Picchu as early as 1874. I learn also that Machu Picchu means “old peak” even to some “old mountain” I think Father has a rich knowledge, we are later to dig, there are designated areas as appointed by the authority, but we are not allowed to dig anywhere near the Inca trial. Father has always been rather good at talking to the authorities. He thinks we will only find things such as vases, but he said to me that it will build a bright career.

Whilst I am away from the group I have had time to look around with some of the tour groups, in my hands my Dictaphone, and my notepad and pencil. over my shoulder in a bag, my camcorder, we have not started digging as yet and begin tomorrow, it gives us time to set up camp.

There is a group of 20 people and we are following 3 guides, there is Dudu, he is a young fella, he must be about 20 – 21, there is cedella, she must be in her thirties, an American called Kenny, he must be an historian.

NOTES: Machu Picchu- constructed- 1462, in habitants wiped out by small pox- abandoned less than 100 years later. Never found by Spanish conquistadors.

Several theories,

THEROY NUMBER ONE: traditional birthplace of the Inca of the “Virgins of the Suns” . ( yet to learn what this means, Dudu says this is later in the tour)

Another theory brought to our attention-

THEROY NUMBER TWO: Machu Picchu was an Inca “llacta”, a settlement built to control the economy of these conquered regions. We also got told that there is another theory

THEROY NUMBER THREE: Built as a prison to contain some of the most dangerous criminals, who had committed heinous crimes against the Incan society.

THEROY NUMBER FOUR: Pachacuti an Incan emperor = Machu Picchu built for him.

FAVOURITE THEROY: There was presented evidence that the site was selected because of its position relative to sacred landscape features-such as its mountains, which are purported to be in alignment with key astronomical events that would have been important to the Incas.

Findings: INCAN VASE REMNANTS/ INCAN PLATE FRAGMENTS

Location: Peru, Machu Picchu

Date: 13/07/1994

Group leader: Mr Richard Mystri

INCAN VASE REMNANTS – Pottery, Tan vase remnants, extremely weathered. Three pieces. No further clue, insignificant to historical register. Early 1464 AD remnants. Dusted, placed in seal bag.

INCAN PLATE FRAGMENTS: Pottery, grey in colour, good condition. 1/5 th of a plate. Insignificant to historical register. Hard to place date. Dusted, placed in a seal bag.

Founder: Miss Kali Mystri

Checked by group leader and signed:

Richard Mystri Thirteenth of The Month July of the year nineteen ninety four .

Machu Picchu, a beauty to behold, rich in historical significance. There was so much to see here, a lot of which for our group was digging in designated spots (as appointed by the authorities) Even though a lot as been learnt about this civilisation, there are some points that still don’t make sense and have eluded us historians for a while. The finds I have entered here are so insignificant, but I had them recorded for my own memoirs.