Could new discovery be ruins be golden city of Paititi?: 18-01-2008
Ruins recently discovered in Peru could be the ancient "lost city" of Paititi, it has been claimed.
The lost city is described as a stone settlement adorned with golden statues but has never been discovered by explorers.
Legend states that the city was built by Inkarri before he retreated into the jungle and Peru's state news agency reported that an "archaeological fortress" had been found in Kimbiri.
The mayor of the ditrict, Guillermo Torres, described the ruins as 430,000 square-foot fortification and suggested they could be the remains of the lost city.
Reports said that elaborately carved stone structures formed the base of a set of walls and officials from the National Institute of Culture (INC) have met with Mr Torres to discuss the claims.
Speaking to National Geographic, Francisco Solis, an INC official, said it was too early to be making accurate judgements.
"We are going to dispatch a team to investigate," he said.
It would be likely that travellers would be allowed to see the city if the reports are proved to be true but if not Peru still has many other Inca sites to draw visitors keen for a taste of ancient history.
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