The June
2004 Quest for Paititi exploration team followed the direction
of the Inca Road of Stone penetrating the northern reaches
of Peru's Pantiacolla region and documented the Incas presence
in this mysterious land east of the Andes. Explorer, Greg
Deyermenjian and his Quechua-speaking native guides, Paulino
and Alberto Mamani, "Goyo" Toledo and the film crew
of Producer, Garrett Strang and Cinematographer, Erin Harvey
slashed their way through thickets and underbrush for over
two weeks to uncover a number of significant Inca ruins.
For nearly
two decades, Deyermenjian and his crew have shed new insight
into Inca culture and unearthed archaeological sites that
have added to the understanding of its legendary empire, known
as Antisuyu or Paititi. Based on local word of mouth and the
findings from the team's 1999 expedition, the explorers believe
their recent discoveries could be directly related to the
legend of Paititi, given their strategic location to the Road
of Stone.
Facing
extreme conditions of frigid cold at altitudes at to 14,000
feet to steady heat under the Andean sun, the expedition team
followed its course, despite several setbacks and fatigue.
They landed by helicopter north of the Lago de Angel, an unmapped
area until the last expedition (1999). They settled south/southeast
of Lago de Angel where they documented the ruins of a series
of caves with triangular monoliths to which the team wants
to return.
Following
a barely perceptible part of an unmapped Incan road between
the Rio Paucartamblo and Rio Timpia, the team faced the drudgery
of long, grueling treks into Peru's Pantiacolla region. While
watching their footing, they looked for evidences of Inca
trails that would connect Lago de Angel with Ultimo Punto-
an area Paulino had become familiar with through local wisdom.
They traversed the highland range of Tambocancha and descended
steep tributaries of the Rio Mapacho. In the unexplored headwaters
of the Rio Timpia that lie in the heart of the Plateau of
Pantiacolla, they faced their most arduous journey so far.
Deemed
a Flag
Expedition by The Explorers Club, this expedition
was professionally acknowledged and chronicled as an impressive
history of courage and accomplishment as it furthers the cause
of exploration and field science. Follow-up articles on the
science and historical significance of the expedition are
being published.
Maps of
the discoveries, to include ceremonial platforms, tombs and
an Incan compound- are being scrupulously constructed from
on-location GPS data and from Greg's and Paulino's notes.
The expedition
also followed another course - the making of a broadcast film.
Producer/Director, Garrett Strang and Cinematographer, Erin
Scott Harvey have done a superb job with filming each aspect
of the expedition from the meticulous preparation for survival,
to the unforeseen dangers of trekking into unknown territory,
as well as the euphoria that drove them onward after each
discovery. The rough-cut version of Image Studios' film captures
the interminable passion and determination of this dedicated
team and gives viewers a first-hand look at expedition life
in this mystical and perilous land.
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