Ciudad Blanca: Lost 'White City of

the Monkey God' unearthed in

Honduras
Archaeologists have removed dozens of artefacts from the ruins, which
appear to date between 1,000 and 1,500 AD
Samuel Osborne

The mysterious Ciudad Blanca has been buried beneath the jungle canopy for centuries, out of
the reach of explorers ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images

Archaeologists have begun excavations what they believe to be the

legendary lost city of Ciudad Blanca, or White City, in the Honduran jungle.
So far, they have removed dozens of artifacts, including a vessel with
vulture-shaped handles, a clay tray with a jaguar's head and a stone-made
throne carved with a jaguar - possibly the remains of a ceremonial temple.

The ruins, which appear to date between 1,000 and 1,500 AD are distinct
from the cultures of the ancient Maya civilization.

Archaeological pieces dug out at the Kaha Kamasa (White City, in Misquito language) archaeological site
in La Mosquitia, northeast of Tegucigalpa

"It is a new culture, or a different culture," said Virgilio Paredes, the

director of the Honduras' Institute of Anthropology and Colorado.

It is believed the city's name is derived from the white limestone rock in the
area and was first mentioned by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th
century.
Thedore Morde suggested in 1940 the city was in fact the White City of the
Monkey God.

Writing of his sighting in the US magazine The American Weekly, he said

people from local tribes had told him of a monkey worshipping civilization.
There were legends a monkey from the city kidnapped a local woman,
breeding half-human, half-monkey children.

An archaeological piece found in the Kaha Kamasa (White City, in Misquito language) archaeological site,
on display at El Aguacate air base, department of Olancho, al northeast of Tegucigalpa

The excavation site was visited by Honduran President Juan Orlando

Hernndez, who said: "We are blessed to be alive at such a special time in
Honduran history.

He added: "This discovery has created a lot of excitement because of its

significance for Honduras and the world."
The site was found by explorers last year, who mapped extensive plazas,
earthworks and mounds.

Artifacts excavated from the city will be displayed in a museum in

Catacamas.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ciudad-blanca-lost-white-city-of-the-monkey-
god-unearthed-in-honduras-a6824166.html