ISLAMABAD – Bolivia is to build an underwater museum in its sacred LakeTiticaca, the culture minister said.
The move comes after thousands of priceless artifacts were discovered atthe bottom of the abyss.
“It will be both a tourist complex and a centre for archeological,geological and biological research, which will make it the only one in theworld,” culture minister Wilma Alanoca said on Tuesday.
The museum will cost $10 million (8.6 million euros) to build, inpartnership with Belgian development agency Enabel. Alanoca said Belgiumand Unesco would contribute $2 million to the project.
Titicaca holds an important place in the hearts of local people — legendhas it that Manco Capac, the son of the Sun God and his wife Mama Ocllo,emerged from its waters.
One of the main figures in Inca mythology, Manco Capac is believed to havefounded the Peruvian city of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empirefrom the 13th to 16th centuries.
Titicaca spans an area of 8,500 square kilometres (3,300 square miles) andstraddles the border between Bolivia and Peru. At more than 3,800 meters(12,500 feet) altitude, it is the world’s highest body of fresh water thatis navigable by large vessels.
It was the birthplace of several local cultures before the arrival ofSpanish colonialists.
The most recent excavations turned up 10,000 artefacts, made from bone,ceramics and metal, cooking utensils, as well as human and animal remains,dating back to the pre-Tiwanaku (before 300 AD), Tiwanaku (300-1100) andInca (1100-1570) eras.
The museum will be situated close to the town of San Pedro de Tiquina,around 100 kilometers from the capital La Paz. – APP/AFP