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.

Firman concesión del Proyecto Telecabinas Kuélap de Amazonas

Kuélap es una construcción arqueológica de la cultura Chachapoyas, conocida por sus grandes muros de piedra que se asemejan  a una fortaleza. Para llegar a esta zona es necesario hacer una larga caminata a través de la selva y los valles que la circundan, en el departamento de Amazonas. Es por ello que se autorizó la construcción de un teleférico que facilite a los turistas el acceso a la zona arqueológica.

El proyecto autorizado por el Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo (Mincetur), ha sido otorgado a la empresa Telecabinas Kuélap S.A., conformada por la empresa francesa Pomagalski S.A.S. y la peruana Ingenieros Civiles y Contratistas Generales S.A., que construirán lo que se ha llamado Sistema de Telecabinas Kuelap, con una inversión de US$ 17´893,191.

National Geographic to air documentary about Peru’s Chachapoyas culture

Art/Culture/History 11 August, 2008 [ 10:44 ]

A new National Geographic documentary will tell the story of the ancient Chachapoyas people, a lost civilization that flourished in the cloud forests of the Amazonas region of present-day Peru.

The documentary, which will be produced by Far West Films, will show the hidden past of the mysterious Chachapoyas culture and its citadel, the Kuelap fortress.

Far West Films is casting local actors to star in the documentary and identifying the needs of equipment, costumes and props.

The documentary will highlight the discovery of eighty skeletal remains by archaeologist Alfredo Narvaez.

The Chachapoyas' territory was located in the northern regions of Peruvian Andes.

The area is rich in archaeology and has one of the largest ancient stone structures in South America.

The Incas conquered their civilization shortly before the arrival of the Spanish in Peru. When the Spanish arrived in Peru in the 16th century, the Chachapoyas were one of the many nations ruled by the Inca Empire.

Their incorporation into the Inca Empire had not been easy, due to their constant resistance to the Inca troops.

News source: ANDINA