Gran Saposoa facts for kids
Gran Saposoa is the name given to a set of ancient ruins found deep in the cloud forests of the Amazonas region in Peru. An American explorer named Gene Savoy gave the site this name. He believed these ruins were the lost Pre-Columbian city of Cajamarquilla.
However, historical records show that Cajamarquilla is actually a different modern town in Peru called Bolívar, Peru. Savoy claimed that the ruins of Gran Saposoa cover a huge area. He said they spread across about 80 square miles, which is roughly the size of a big city like Baltimore, MD. He also thought that about 20,000 people once lived there.
Discovering Gran Saposoa
Gene Savoy and his team found the ruins of Gran Saposoa in 1999. The discovery was shared widely with the public. However, some experts from Denmark, Germany, and America already knew about parts of the site. They had even written about it before. These scholars disagreed with Savoy's claims about the site being a new discovery.
Protecting Ancient Sites
In September 2005, Gene Savoy's son, Sean Savoy, shared some sad news. He announced that when his team returned to Gran Saposoa, they found the site had been looted. This means that people had illegally dug up and stolen ancient artifacts from the ruins.
This news led to concerns about protecting important historical places in Peru. Some people criticized the Peruvian government for not keeping the site safe. Others also questioned Savoy and his team for sharing the location without making sure it was protected. Protecting ancient ruins is a big challenge in Peru. People who illegally dig up and sell old treasures often have a lot of money.
See also
In Spanish: Gran Saposoa para niños
- Gran Pajaten
- History of Peru
