By Amy Jorgensen
The largest lake in
South America is Lake Titicaca. Located between Peru and Bolivia, the lake is connected to some historic legends from the area.
The Origins of the World
The Incas believed the God Viracocha rose from Lake Titicaca in order to create the world and the first people. They also believed they would return to the lake's waters after they died.
The Mysterious Ruins
While Lake Titicaca was studied in 2000, ruins were found below the water. The ruins seem to be the remains of an ancient temple reached by a road from Copacabana. The ruins stretch for more than 600 feet and are believed to be as much as 1,500 years old.
The Artifacts of the Lake
The Incas supposedly threw valuable items into the lake, including a two-ton gold chain from one of the temples tossed into Lake Titicaca when the Spanish arrived. Impressive artifacts, such as silver llamas and pottery, have been found as recently as 2004 on the islands in the lake which suggests the myth was correct.
The Flood
According to Incan myths, Lake Titicaca had a close connection to their Great Flood Story, where only a surviving man and woman were found. However, Lake Titicaca was also the cause of real-life floods. In the mid-1980s, the water levels rose and caused massive flooding, leaving 200,000 people without a home.
Origins of the Lake
According to scientists, the lake developed when the Nasca and Andes plates collided. This collisions led to the development of the Andes Mountains and also left a section covered in water between the ridges of the mountains. This became Lake Titicaca.
About the Author:
Amy Jorgensen is a freelance writer and college instructor from Indiana. In addition to freelancing, she has also taught writing, public speaking, business communication and customer service courses at two different colleges. Jorgensen holds a Bachelor of Science in English and a Master of Liberal Studies degree.
