Caral considered one of the 10 unforgettable findings of 2015

Caral considered one of the 10 unforgettable findings of 2015 according to National Geographic. "The Caral is the oldest civilization in the Americas," said Peruvian archaeologist Ruth Shady to this medium. The archaeological team unearthed three complete runs no clay figurines, two heads of the same material and numerous reliefs of starving characters that are an allegory of drought, famine and death he endured this culture. 

The disturbing expression of the three statuettes has not faded over the millennia. Most depicts a shaman priestess or showing breasts and genitals. The other two statues, with twenty fingers each, representing two characters in the hierarchy. "Women played a prominent religious, economic and political, as can be evidenced in the recovered material role activities," says Shady. "When the Spanish arrived in Peru they said that the natives were weak because they let women rule"

Caral is the cradle of as old as the Egyptian Memphis Andean civilization and culture that flourished in this holy city is considered the oldest in America, at least to date. Throughout the month of June, the Ministry of Culture of Peru has announced a series of findings about 3,800 years old that shed light on a remote culture that survived in an area hit by drought. The archaeological team led by Ruth Shady has unearthed three complete no clay figurines, two heads of the same material and numerous reliefs of starving characters that are an allegory of drought, famine and death he endured this culture.

Source: National Geographic.

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Caral Ruins Full Day Tour

Archaeological site discovered in Amazon rainforest

On the hill of Atumpucro in the department of Amazonas a new archaeological site was found. Martin Chumbe explorer of Chachapoyas, discovered the composite structures of 150 houses in two hectares.

The Atumpucro complex has houses with rectangular windows, niches and friezes in all circles. The explorer also added that these houses are built on large terraces and breathtaking walls 50 meters long and 3 meters high.

It’s situated on the left bank of the Utcubamba River in the district of San Juan de Lopecancha (Amazonas). Atumpucro can become a new tourist destination where you can also see the Utcubamba River Valley.

Source: TeleSur.

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Four tombs discovered of 600 years in the Huaca Pucllana

A team of archaeologists from the Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores discovered four tombs possibly the Ychsma culture. Were three women and a grown man, they were buried in the main pyramid of the archaeological site in Lima.

The bodies were located to the southeast, in a seated position, wrapped in fabrics, baskets and ropes, all buried in the Great Pyramid. The finding confirms that this structure was used as a burial place for people considered elite. The characters found in the tombs ichmas are squatting beside reed brackets that hold them in that position. The funeral paraphernalia included pottery and textile tools such as punches and cactus spines.

This finding confirms the presence of the Ychsma culture in the ceremonial center located in the heart of Miraflores. Which it was installed on the central coast of the country between 1000 and 1450 AD.

Source: El Comercio.

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Basque expedition found an Inca sanctuary

Most of the adventure has run for the Inca trail in Vraem region. For two weeks amounted rugged mountains up to 5,000 meters and have ventured into the jungle with a rainy weather that has not stopped to rest.

Fortunately Miguel Gutierrez guided by his intuition on a hill 12 hectares at 3,700 meters by the expedition found an Inca cemetery full of graves hidden in caves.

Following this finding, the expedition also found on the western slope of the Vilcabamba’s mountains an Inca ceremonial center to 5,000 meters, where they photographed what they believe are the remains of inns, tombs, carved relics, platforms, Inca roads, stairs and stands.

The whole mountain seems "huge reservoir" whose archaeological and scientific scope is still unknown but believe there may be children buried after being killed in rituals to the god of water during periods of drought.

Basque expedition follows in the footsteps of explorers like Galician Santiago del Valle and Carmen Martin Rubio, also trapped by the mixture of history, magic, myth and legend surrounding the Inca and his lost city of Vilcabamba.

Source: Efefuturo.

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The New Museum of Pachacamac

Pachacamac was the main sanctuary of the central coast for over a thousand years, on the south of Lima. Their temples were visited by crowds of pilgrims on the occasion of the great Andean rituals and going people of the Andes in search of solutions to their problems or answers to their questions.

Pachacamac is regarded as an oracle and its worship was the center of all coastal religion. The word Pachacamac means "soul of the earth, which animates the world." The ancient Peruvians believed that one movement of his head would cause earthquakes. He could not look into his eyes, and even his priests entered the enclosure back.

The new Pachacamac site museum under construction, part of the National System of Museums of the National Institute of Culture. It aims to integrate the archaeological site with the community. It provides information to understand the Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac and place in the history of Peruvian archeology. Among the main buildings we can find: the Sun Temple, pyramids with ramps, Taurichumpi Palace, Temple Pintado, Uhle Cemetery, North and South Streets, Square of the Pilgrims and the Acllahuasi.

You can visit the museum in the old Panamericana Sur Km. 31.5 Lurin district in Lima. A building that will offer visitors modern spaces for the exhibition of major collections that currently houses and efficient research work and preservation of cultural material environments.

Visit Lima: The Colonial Capital Tour 3D/2N

New Nazca geoglyphs

A few months ago a group of Japanese archaeologists from the University of Yamagata were those who discovered new and enigmatic geometric shapes on the floor, 1 ½ kilometers north from the city of Nazca. According to the analysts these geometric shapes date from the III – V century A.D. and belong to Paracas ancient civilization.

These figures are hardly recognizable and sum a total of 24 new geoglyphs, within these the figure of a Llama (a mammal that is used to load and transport) is recognized and other animals that measure up to 20 meters long formed of volcanic stones.

So far they have found 41 geometric figures since 2004, thanks to the agreement signed between the Japanese university and the Peruvian State. These geometric shapes have been recognized by the  Unesco as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Initially they could not be discovered because of the surface of the desert and the wind, which only allowed to be recognized from the air or from a surrounding hill.

Masato Sakai, head of the research warned that the discovery could be in danger due to the expansion of urban areas, noting that the figures should be preserved and showed to the world.

For more information about Nazca visit: Paracas 

The Amazing Sillustani

In Sillustani 35 kms. from Puno, a mysterious and impressive burial grounds of the Lords of the Colla called chullpas is situated, with square and cone shapes made of stones that fit symmetrically exact. This sanctuary is surrounded by the beautiful Umayo Lagoon only 20 kms. from Lake Titicaca.

The Chullpas can reach up to 12 meters high, with vaulted crypts where mummies were kept inside, almost 90 of them. According to researches the bodies were mummified in a fetal position and placed inside the chullpas. Close to the bodies were placed their belongings, jewelry, pottery and food; due to their beliefs were said that after death the bodies will resurrect elsewhere, where then they will eat and drink.

Higher chullpas settled on platforms and had graves that were buried around that were surely their servers. These numerous monuments were accompanied by other facilities in circles as well as decks and fences designated for rituals.

Even this tourist attraction and funerary sanctuary was the inspiration for the Central Bank of Peru to issue a new edition of the national currency (Nuevo Sol), in commemoration of the Sillustani Chullpas as part of its Numismatics Wealth and Pride.

To arrive to Sillustani we should take the paved road between Puno and Juliaca, 3950 meters above sea level; where you will find one of the largest cemeteries in the world and must see point to visit in Puno.

More information about Puno and Lake Titicaca here.

Treasures of the Northern Kingdoms

The north of Peru has a lot of history, culture and priceless treasures. To visit its archaeological sites, temples and museums will show the extensive pre-Inca past and the magnificence on how ancient people used to live between 100 and 700 A.D.

Ancient cultures that inhabited the valleys of the north of Peru showing many social developments, infrastructure developments, art and mystical traditions.

In Chiclayo we can find more about the Moche Culture that worshiped the god Ai Apaec as main god, the sea and the moon. This society made great hydraulic engineering work and architectural as contemplated in its pyramids and temples.

The new Huaca Rajada – Sipán museum,  exhibits to the world ornaments of the Warrior Priest, whose remains are on a glass vase in which can also be seen jewelry and ceramics and the Sipán dynasty with all his descendants with information about the later periods of Lambayeque and Chimu.

The museum was opened in April 2009 and its main purpose display objects that can be found in future studies on the site of Huaca Rajada - Sipan being one of the newest in the region which cannot  be missed.

Learn more about the treasure of the northern kingdoms: North of Peru

THE PUSHARO PETROGLYPHS

On the banks of the Palatoa river in Manu National Park - Madre de Dios, it’s located the largest petroglyph of Peru, which was carved between 1000 and 2000 A.D. In 2003 It was recognized as an archaeological heritage by the National Institute of Culture of Peru.

The first description of the petroglyphs was made by the Dominican missionary Vicente de Cenitagoya in 1921.  Dr. Carlos Neuenschwander from Arequipa, studied Pusharo site in 1969. Besides its gigantic size, takes our attention  the engraving pictures. Many studious argued that such drawings would be related to the legendary kingdom of Paititi.

The italian researcher Yuri Leveratto indicates that it could be related to the Quiaca petroglyphs.

Most of the glyphs represent  animal hunting, and even when they have not managed to successfully figure out  the drawings,  the closest interpretation would be the one that holds Reichel-Dolmatoff and Schultes & Hofmann: Petroglyphs are representations of the Amazonian mythological people performed by shamans, influenced by the use of hallucinogenic plants.

Not far from the petroglyphs, the recent discovery of giant figures carved on the eastern slope of a mountain, also may significantly change our knowledge of the Incas in this place and the theory of its influence in the Amazonian people, but it hasn’t been demonstrated yet.

 For more information about the Manu National Park: Manu

VALLEY OF THE PYRAMIDS IN THE HEART OF LAMBAYEQUE

In Lambayeque, 33 kilometers north of Chiclayo, can be found the Valley of the Pyramids of Tucume. It is a complex of 26 pyramids made of adobe (clay and sand), also called temples.

These majestic pyramids are up to 40 meters high and cover about 220 hectares surrounding a hill known as “El Purgatorio” (Purgatory), from where you can see the entire valley.

It is known that this area was built around 700 AD, and passed through the hands of the Lambayeque, Chimu and Inca cultures. Travelers can see temples, courtyards, halls and warehouses between these buildings.

In the valley you can take tours through all of the museums, participate in archaeological research and healing rituals, as well as other traditions.

 For more information enter in this link: Chimu Culture

Source: Peruthisweek

Chan Chan's working woman is praised by the UNESCO

The person in charge to take care of the archaeological ruins of Chan Chan, Maria Mendoza, was considered a heroine by the UNESCO, given its ongoing efforts to protect this monument heritage.

Maria Mercedes and other 80 women works at Chan Chan, monitoring the damages left by the passage of time and the weather at the monument. Each one loads in a wheelbarrow, buckets of mud on a detailed work that is repeated every day.

With an inexhaustible patience, Maria Mercedes divides her time: in the morning she takes care of this architectural complex, and in the evening turns into a great housewife.

She grew up next to her mother, who guided her steps and taught her to love the history and traditions of her homeland, to respect the legacy of the ancient Peruvians. Education that puts in practice until today.

The German journalists Ruth Wolter and Astrid Piethan travelled from Germany to Chan Chan as part of the project "Heroes of the Heritage" promoted by the UNESCO in Germany, exclusively to interview María.

In the German city of Bonn, the headquarters of the UNESCO, an exhibition will be held soon with all the protagonists worldwide, and Maria Mercedes is the only representative of all Latin America.

Learn more of the north of Peru and its architectural riches, on the following link: Moche Culture.

Archaeological site was found in Zaña precedent of the Mochicas

An archaeological finding about "Mata Indio" hill makes archeologists to think that the Archaeological Site in Zaña, would be the precedent of the Moche Sanctuaries. In this site there has been found a small temple, which according to Walter Alva respectable team, has ancestry Moche.

In April of this year began the excavation work in the area, with the purpose of knowing mochicas villages and the origins of this culture. One thinks that these small temples could be the precedents of the big sanctuaries or administrative centers in Moche's final stage.

In the surroundings of these enclosures they have found cemeteries that have been stripped throughout the years. In the interior of the constructions have been found a series of occupations, in the center the Early Mochica, then Chimú and Lambayeque, respectively.

Inside of the enclosure  they have found fragments of Mochica ceramics and in the top part four funeral contexts belonging to the Lambayeque Culture.

The lowest platforms were painted by colors white and yellow, that would have been the most ancient building of this place and corresponded to the Mochica period.

Weather has affected these constructions, mainly because for the intense  rains, for which it was extended and remodeled in different times by the former Peruvians. The way to cross the desert towards the valleys of the south, are appellants.

The work of excavation continues in Chancay's Valley, in the monumental site known as " The Victory", located between the districts of Pomalca and Tumán, which also tracks of the Mochica culture has been found.

If you want to visit Zaña, this is located half hour from Chiclayo's city. Other attraction is the Museum Afro- Peruvian from Zaña, which speaks of the African Diaspora and the instruments and the contribution of the Afro- Peruvian are kept in force.

Discover the north of Peru, with Inkanatura Travel:

- Tour: Treasures of Northem Kingdoms

Source: Andina

Approximately 50 thousand tourists visit the Chiclayo Municipal Palace

In 2010 the Municipal Palace of Chiclayo was remodeled, since then it has become the only attraction in the city center. The visitors' highest point was given in April, when schools, colleges and universities entered to 14 showrooms, adding up more than 3 thousand visitors in one day.

"If we speak about the Historical Center,  is the only attraction that we have in Chiclayo, since the renovation of the place oriented to a cultural and artistic use, and is very gratifying to know that in this place the photographic and pictorial samples displayed have captivated visitors. " said the Head of the Documentation Center of Historical Memory, Jorge Vasquez Orrego.

So far the museum has received 50 thousand visits. The 15 % of the visitors comes from abroad: Holland, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Chile, between other countries of the orb. Those people are very satisfied with the importance and the remodeling of this architectural work.

In the halls can be observed graphics of the Chiclayo Colonial, photos of the reconstruction of the palace, as well as art exhibitions of  Mórrope and Tucume of local, regional and national artists.

Learn more of the north of Peru with the following tours:

• Moche Route Tour 3D/2N : Chiclayo and Trujillo
• Archaeology and Nature Tour 4D/3N: Trujillo, Chaparri and Chiclayo

Peru: Entrepreneurs to boost Lambayeque tourism

Entrepreneurs of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of the Lambayeque region, through its institutional guild, will promote the new touristic routes of the Lambayeque region. 

The move intends to increase the amount of visitors, it was informed.

According to Nino Onofre, representative of the Tourism guild attached to the Chamber of Commerce, a “contribution of the private sector” will seek to position Lambayeque as one of the most important tourism destinations in the world.

Among its attractions are: The Santuario Bosque de Poma, Chotuna and the Pimentel Beaches.

Travel to Moche Route with this tour: Moche Route Tour 3D/2N : Chiclayo and Trujillo

Source: Andina

More than 300 archaeological pieces have been restored

After an arduous work in the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, was able to restore and to rescue more than 300 archaeological pieces. It was announced by the director of this cultural precinct, Walter Alva, who said that the objects belong to Mochica and Lambayeque cultures.

The renowned archaeologist referred that among the restored and rescued objects are 35 pieces of metal like batons, crowns, shields, copper rings, gilded copper and silver, plus 48 pieces of ceramics, 5 textiles and 253 fragments of polychrome murals of more than 1,800 years of antique, from the works of researches made in Huaca Rajada Sipán, Huaca the town of Úcupe and Pucalá's Huaca Santa Rosa.

Alva indicated that during 2014 national registers managed to get 1,270 of Sipán´s Collection, Huaca Santa Rosa and Huaca the town of Úcupe. "This year it expects to complete the national registers of Sipán's Collection, obtaining three thousand records ", he specified.

"These important objects belong to the Mochica and Lambayeque cultures. Conservation and restoration takes shape thanks to the work performed by 4 professionals from our museum ", expressed Alva, who said that all the pieces will be presented in four samples that will be held throughout the year, in the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum.

For more information about this culture enter to the follow link:   http://www.inkanatura.com/en/moche-culture

Source: La República

Easter in Moche was declared Cultural Heritage

The Holy Week in Moche's district, Trujillo, has been distinguished as National Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture of Peru, thanks to its importance as a religious celebration and the great faith of the people.

The characteristics that this nomination highlights, are the traditional elements of the local culture, which shape the identity of the population and an important tradition of rituality.

The festivity lasts for 10 days, begins on Holy Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. During these days people practice rituals of concentration and meditation.

Another important aspect of the celebration is to consume the traditional Theologian Soup, a festive soup widely consumed by people of the northern region, which consists of chicken broth and beef with dipped bread, potato, milk and cheese.

Thanks to the Moche population this tradition is still practicing and it renews every year.

Enjoy the Moche route with the following tour:

-MocheRoute Tour 3D/2N : Chiclayo and Trujillo

Evidence for ancient bone surgery found at Kuelap Fortress

A study by the University of Florida published in the International Journal of Paleopathology claims to have discovered the first ever evidence for ancient bone surgery found in Peru.

Dr. J Maria Toyne details that two skeletons (dated 800-1535 CE) from the pre-Colombian site of Kuelap demonstrate pathology similar to trepanation. Trepanation is the surgical practice of drilling holes into bones and is the oldest example of surgical intervention.

The two moderately healthy male skeletons, one an adolescent and the other an adult of 30-34 years of age, were found to have drilled holes in the bones of their legs.

The placement and depth suggest to the bioarchaeologists that the holes are not random but were perhaps done to relieve pressure from a physical injury and or severe infection. The holes would have been administered to cure build-up of fluid in the leg.

The New York Times aconseja visitar Perú este año

La revista estadounidense New York Times, ha publicado el informe “52 lugares para visitar en 2015”. En la lista figura la costa norte del Perú, con sus atractivos turísticos, como el balneario de Huanchaco, la ciudad de Trujillo, el puerto de Pimentel, Lambayeque o Punta Sal.  Además recomienda una serie de hoteles para garantizar una maravillosa estadía a los turistas.

"El turismo en el Perú se expande más allá del obligado viaje al Cusco", menciona la revista del influyente diario. Es así que recomienda visitar y conocer los sitios arqueológicos del lugar " la ciudad de adobe de Chan Chan y las pirámides Moche, Sipán y El Brujo".