27 July
San Carlos

The "Israel" Commune

Shirley Critchley, Graham Catchpole and Sam Allen recently came across an interesting community in Nothern Bolivia. Shirley had heard stories from the locals, of a remote village called "Israel". Curiosity led her to investigate further, and she, Graham and Sam had the unique experience of visiting this community. The "Israel" community is a large, private, religious group that usually does not admit visitors. However, the three expedition members were able to win the confidence of the cult leaders, and were not only allowed into the community, but were also given the opportunity to photograph and videotape a religious ceremony.

Members of the commune

The community's inhabitants, despite the tropical heat, all wore long red, white and sky blue woollen robes for the service. They were accompanied to the ceremony by girls playing tambourines.

The people of "Israel" live strictly in accordance with the Ten Commandments and follow a lifestyle that closely resembles the living conditions during the time of Moses. Alcohol is banned in the community and modern technology is not allowed. The members' houses, about 80 of them, are neatly arranged along the riverbank. All the men tend to wear their hair long.

The cult's formal name is Asociacion Evangelica de la Mision Israelita del Nuevo Pacto Universal. It was originally founded in Peru in 1968 and has branches in different regions.

Archaeological Discoveries Near Riberalta

Kota Mama's archaeologist, Bruce Mann, has discovered three extraordinary sites a few kilometres west of the town of Riberalta. The first and second sites have been described in previous reports. The first is believed to date back to the time of the Incas while the second is thought to be a site inhabited by a pre-Inca group known as the Amazonas. The second site is approximately 300m in diameter, and there may be evidence of earlier occupation in the area.

However, it is the third site that has amazed the team of archaeologists. "It was only when the local Indians were confident that we were not treasure hunters," said Bruce Mann "that they came to trust us and took me to an area of plantation and jungle some 10 km from the Inca site. The ground was flat and there were no signs of buildings, but everywhere the Indians dug, masses of ancient domestic pottery were discovered, and
there were reports of large urns being found. The site was approximately half a square kilometre and should be fairly easy to date. However detailed study will now be necessary to determine if this is possible. "

Col John Blashford-Snell plans to return next year and spend more time here. "I consider these to be very important sites," says Bruce." They may indicate different periods of occupation over a time span of 1000 years, and are some of the most exciting discoveries of an expedition, which is already filled with exciting finds.