Did you know that Yaruquí is more than just a parish northeast of Quito? It’s a place with a history stretching back centuries. The story of Yaruquí is one of tribes, conquest, and scientific ambition.
Yaruquí gets its name from one of the original tribes who lived here. Back in the 10th century the Cara Shyri submitted these tribes. Then came the Incas. In 1460 Túpac Yupanqui conquered the area despite fierce resistance. Hualcopo Duchicela led that resistance.
Let me tell you about a remarkable woman, María Yaruquí. She was the last Shyri princess. Instead of clinging to power, she established an orphanage in Quito. A close friend of St. Mariana of Jesus de Paredes, she died in sanctity in 1700.
Yaruquí was officially established as a parish on May 29, 1561. The ecclesiastic parish came later on September 8, 1570. Friar Pedro de la Peña, the second bishop of Quito, established it.
Now, let’s jump ahead to the 18th century. Yaruquí’s coat of arms features a pyramid. This pyramid marks a fascinating chapter in scientific history. It was erected in Oyambaro in 1736 by the French Geodesic Mission. Their task was to measure a meridian arc in this region of Spanish Peru. The mission included astronomers like Louis Godin, Pierre Bouguer, and Charles Marie de La Condamine. Two Spanish Navy officers, Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa joined them.
These scientists arrived in 1735. They wouldn’t return to France until 1744 and 1745. In September 1736 the French scientists established their baseline on the Yaruquí plateau. This area is overlooked by Pambamarca mountain. Locals still call it Frances Urcu, which means the French’s Mountain.
La Condamine wanted to preserve the baseline for future use. He marked the ends with a millstone and a silver blade. These were enclosed in pyramids. Construction began in May 1740. Before leaving France, La Condamine had a Latin inscription proposed for a plaque on the pyramids. The Real Audiencia of Quito approved a slightly modified version in 1740.
Upon returning to Quito in 1741 the Spanish officers accused La Condamine of disrespect. They felt he hadn’t properly acknowledged their contributions. They also objected to the fleur-de-lis atop each pyramid. The Royal Audiency rejected the appeal in 1742. They ordered the pyramids and writings to remain unchanged. A bronze crown was added above the fleurs-de-lis.
La Condamine left Quito in 1742 for his Amazon voyage. He remained concerned about the pyramids. In 1747 he learned the Spanish Court had ordered their destruction. Thanks to Jorge Juan’s protests, the order was cancelled. However, a new order replaced the original writing. The names of French ministers were removed. The Spanish officers were presented ambiguously. Sadly, the cancellation of the destruction order arrived too late.
In 1747 Francisco Javier de Piedrahita visited the site. He found the writings still legible but vandalized. He ordered the destruction of the writings and the removal of the fleur-de-lis. The crowns were already gone. The scientific value was lost.
Rumors of hidden treasures led to further destruction. Fragments of the pyramids were found on nearby farms. Scientists worldwide were outraged. They saw the destruction as an act of barbarism. Even figures like Humboldt wanted to restore them.
In 1836 King Louis-Philippe’s consul convinced President Vicente Rocafuerte to rebuild the pyramids. The new pyramids were inaugurated in 1836. The work continued until 1837.
Today, Yaruquí stands as a testament to a rich blend of indigenous heritage, colonial history, and scientific endeavor. The pyramids symbolize human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, a legacy that continues to resonate.