French explorer launches search for Inca lost city
Interview: Peru - France -
Article published the Tuesday 15 April 2014 - Latest update : Tuesday 15 April 2014
French explorer launches search for Inca lost city
By Michael Woods
A French explorer is planning to search for a lost Incan city reputed to hold vast treasure. Thierry Jamin believes the city of Paititi can be found in the Peruvian jungle but detractors say his proposed expedition will endanger isolated tribes and that he’s less interested in science than in treasure hunting.
Jamin says he has been conducting archaeological research in Peru for the past 16 years.
He lives in Cuzco and was recently in Paris to raise awareness and funds for a new expedition.
He believes he knows where to find Paititi, "one of the most fascinating stories of the Inca mythology", according to his website and possibly the place where they hid their empire’s treasures when Europeans arrived centuries ago.
“The Matseguengas, who live in the jungle, have told us about monumental ruins on top of a mountain,” Jamin told RFI while in Paris. “And then, two years ago, a satellite imaging company in Toulouse identified an area with lakes and a mountain that match the description of Paititi. It’s still a hypothesis but we have enough clues to go and see if the site is there.”
More:
http://www.english.rfi.fr/americas/20140415-french-explorer-launches-search-inca-lost-city
