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an account of tello’s rise to prominence || 7 julio c. tello was a world authority on Peruvian archaeology (Stewart and Peterson 1942:271). He has been described as an “Indian from the ranks and human dynamo, founder of three important museums and discoverer of culture after culture . . . [who] knows as much Peruvian archeology as the rest of us put together” (Kroeber 1944:5–6). He was committed to the improvement of his race, and, in part, he chose to accomplish this through politics and archaeology (Daggett 1992a:193 n.2). Toward the end of his life, he was promoted as the New World’s greatest archaeologist, a national institution virtually unto himself (West 1982:87). Even his detractors were forced to admit his archaeological preeminence (e.g., Beals 1934:105– 106), while their criticisms often provided Tello with the motivation he needed to succeed (Tealdo 1942:8). This chapter chronicles Tello’s rise to prominence in the sphere of Peruvian archaeology. His encyclopedic knowledge reflected a life rich in archaeological experiences. The sites he investigated as well as the lives he touched upon probably each number in the thousands. It would be futile to try to recount them all; hence, only a few of each will be identified. Controversy played an important part in Tello ’s career, and, as such, its discussion merits inclusion here. In addition , because Tello’s career was punctuated by two periods of upheaval that followed rifts in the nation’s political fabric, some details of a political nature will be provided. Finally, in this same vein, because Tello used his position in the national legislature to promote, in part, Julio C. Tello An Account of His Rise to Prominence in Peruvian Archaeology richard e. daggett chapter one 7 8 || biographical essays his archaeological agenda, a brief review of this aspect of his political career will be presented. The Preparatory Years: 1880–1912 Julio César Tello Rojas was born on April 11, 1880, in the central highland community of Huarochirí (fig. 1.1). By the age of twelve, he had distinguished himself from his siblings by his keen inquisitiveness and unusually high level of energy. At that time, his aunt María, who worked as a chambermaid in the presidential palace, urged that he be sent to Lima to continue his education. The family agreed, and father and son left on horseback early on the morning of March 29, 1893, arriving in Lima late in the afternoon of April 1. His father arranged a pensión for him and enrolled him in the Colegio de Lima on the advice of María (Mejía 1948:3–7, 1964:53–64). At this time, Lima was still recovering from an occupation by Chilean forces during the years 1881 to 1884. The disastrous war with Chile had caused many of Peru’s elite to conclude native Peruvians needed to be more fully integrated into the national framework if a recurrence of this military debacle was to be avoided. In July 1895 Nicolás de Piérola was elected president, and this initiated nearly two decades of unusually stable government in Peru (Werlich 1978:112– 141). Hence, it was a most propitious time for native Peruvians like Tello to be in Lima. Unfortunately, his father’s untimely death around this time left him financially bereft, and, save his aunt María’s commitment to pay his school fees, he became responsible for all his expenses. He survived by selling newspapers on the street and by carrying luggage at the train station (Niles 1937:75–76). Too, he found work in a surgeon’s office, and this experience so impressed him that he decided that he wanted to become a surgeon himself (Mejía 1964:66–67). Tello excelled in school, despite his economic hardship, and he became friendly with one classmate in particular, Ricardo Palma (hereafter , Ricardo). Ricardo was the son of the Ricardo Palma, traditionalist and director of the Biblioteca Nacional. Through his son, he came to appreciate Tello’s intellect as well as his plight, and he endeavored to help. The elder Palma hired Tello to deliver his mail to him daily, insisting that this be done during the noon hour, ensuring, thereby, that Tello had at least one meal a day (Niles 1937:76). In March 1900 Tello and his friend Ricardo entered the Facultad de Ciencias of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima (Mejía 1964:69). Sometime later, however...

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