The Ruins of Great Paititi Have Been Found

The Ruins of Great Paititi Have Been Found

SOURCE: Diario "La Prensa" (La Paz, Bolivia)
DATE: September 2, 2001

Translation (C) 2001. Scott Corrales, Insitute of Hispanic Ufology.
Special Thanks to Gloria Coluchi.

A scientific expedition made up of archaeologists, geologists and anthropologists confirmed the existence of the ruins of a Pre-Colombian city in the vicinity of Cerro Paititi in Guanay. No gold was found, but experts do not reject the possibility of a buried treasure.

Legends speak of the lost Inca city with temples and houses of gold. Spanish conquistadors lost not only their fortunes, but their minds as well, in an effort to find it. Austrian researcher Sigfried Trippolt, who addresses a group of expeditionaries, claims that he has discovered the mythical city near Guanay, and is now in search of gold.

The legend states that an exquisite native city flourished some 500 years ago in the midst of the jungle. The myth of Paititi or Great El Dorado mesmerized intrepid fortune hunters who for centuries took unsuccessful gambles to find its wealth. In 1955, Hans Erit announced the discovery of the legendary city in the vicinity of Cerro Paititi, located in the Larecaja provicnce of the La Paz department.

Over half a century elapsed before an expedition of Bolivian archaeologists and scientists could reach the location at Sigfried Trippolt's insistence in order to verify the existence of the Pre-Colombian ruins. No gold has been found, but the existence of a buried treasure has not been discarded. Under the sponsorship of the Prefecture of La Paz and the Mayoralty of Guanay, Expedition Paititi set out in July with over 30 researchers from the Unidad Nacional de Arqueologia, the Instituto Geografico Militar, the Universidad Mayor de San Andres and doctors from the CEMES. "The journey's main purpose was to prepare cartographic maps of the site, investigate the ruins and discover the lost city. All of these goals have been achieved. Now we are readying ourselves for the next expedition, which shall complete its research of the site," stated Sigfried Trippolt. The city indeed exists: the expedition members found roads, streets and city squares covered by vegetation. "They are definitely man-made structures created by a still-unidentified culture." The expeditionaries followed the trail of German photographer and adventurer Hans Erit, who found the ruins of the Enchanted City of Paititi in 1955 and reported his discovery in a book entitled "Paititi: In the Footsteps of the Incas." "Many of Erit's finds were fraudulent--this must be made clear. The fortress he mentions exists, the roads exist, but other things he ascribes to the Incas cannot be found," Trippolt added. In spite of the fact that Expedition Paititi returned safe and sound over a month ago, officials are silent about their finds. "I don't know why they are so reserved. All I know is that the expedition was a success, despite the fact that the Mayoralty of Guanay let us down as regards the budget, " says Trippolt. It is hoped that in the next few days the Unidad Nacional de Arqueologia and the Prefecture will render their official report on the journey and the discoveries made. Furthermore, the Insitituo Geografico Militar shall take advantage of the opportunity to present maps and images of the site.

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SOURCE: Diario "La Prensa" (La Paz, Bolivia)
DATE: September 2, 2001

Translation (C) 2001. Scott Corrales, Insitute of Hispanic Ufology.
Special Thanks to Gloria Coluchi.

A scientific expedition made up of archaeologists, geologists and anthropologists confirmed the existence of the ruins of a Pre-Colombian city in the vicinity of Cerro Paititi in Guanay. No gold was found, but experts do not reject the possibility of a buried treasure.

Legends speak of the lost Inca city with temples and houses of gold. Spanish conquistadors lost not only their fortunes, but their minds as well, in an effort to find it. Austrian researcher Sigfried Trippolt, who addresses a group of expeditionaries, claims that he has discovered the mythical city near Guanay, and is now in search of gold.

The legend states that an exquisite native city flourished some 500 years ago in the midst of the jungle. The myth of Paititi or Great El Dorado mesmerized intrepid fortune hunters who for centuries took unsuccessful gambles to find its wealth. In 1955, Hans Erit announced the discovery of the legendary city in the vicinity of Cerro Paititi, located in the Larecaja provicnce of the La Paz department.

Over half a century elapsed before an expedition of Bolivian archaeologists and scientists could reach the location at Sigfried Trippolt's insistence in order to verify the existence of the Pre-Colombian ruins. No gold has been found, but the existence of a buried treasure has not been discarded. Under the sponsorship of the Prefecture of La Paz and the Mayoralty of Guanay, Expedition Paititi set out in July with over 30 researchers from the Unidad Nacional de Arqueologia, the Instituto Geografico Militar, the Universidad Mayor de San Andres and doctors from the CEMES. "The journey's main purpose was to prepare cartographic maps of the site, investigate the ruins and discover the lost city. All of these goals have been achieved. Now we are readying ourselves for the next expedition, which shall complete its research of the site," stated Sigfried Trippolt. The city indeed exists: the expedition members found roads, streets and city squares covered by vegetation. "They are definitely man-made structures created by a still-unidentified culture." The expeditionaries followed the trail of German photographer and adventurer Hans Erit, who found the ruins of the Enchanted City of Paititi in 1955 and reported his discovery in a book entitled "Paititi: In the Footsteps of the Incas." "Many of Erit's finds were fraudulent--this must be made clear. The fortress he mentions exists, the roads exist, but other things he ascribes to the Incas cannot be found," Trippolt added. In spite of the fact that Expedition Paititi returned safe and sound over a month ago, officials are silent about their finds. "I don't know why they are so reserved. All I know is that the expedition was a success, despite the fact that the Mayoralty of Guanay let us down as regards the budget, " says Trippolt. It is hoped that in the next few days the Unidad Nacional de Arqueologia and the Prefecture will render their official report on the journey and the discoveries made. Furthermore, the Insitituo Geografico Militar shall take advantage of the opportunity to present maps and images of the site.