1000-year-old mummies found in Peru

Peruvian archaeologists have unearthed four perfectly preserved mummies at an ancient burial site in the capital city, Lima. The mummies are more than 1000 years old and were found at the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca temple located in the heart of Lima's Miraflores district.

Due to its central location, tomb looters have been stealing all sorts of archaeological treasures from the temple for centuries. So for Peruvian archaeologist, Gladys Paz, it was a pleasant surprise when she found a tomb with a perfectly preserved roof.

Inside were four mummies - a main figure and three smaller ones which had lain there untouched for more than 11 centuries, according to ndtv.com. Paz says the four mummies must now undergo numerous tests to determine their sex, age and the way they died.

Pieces of rich clothing, ceramics and other things including an ancient knitting kit were also found at the tomb. Work has been on at this site for more than five years during which archaeologists have excavated 62 tombs, all of them previously looted.

The Wari who lived from 700AD to 1000 AD were warriors who moved from the mountains towards the Peruvian coast eventually conquering most of Peru including what is now Lima.

The Pucllana temple was their main burial site - used only for their elite. After they were conquered by the Incas, the site was never reused.

Moche elites linked to copper industry lived on high, experts say

Archaeologists working at the Huaca Colorada site in northern Peru have found "odd" signs of life in a half-excavated pyramid of the Moche culture.

"Often these pyramidal mounds were built as mortuaries more than anything else," said excavation co-leader Edward Swenson, according to a National Geographic article published Thursday.

"In most instances [a pyramid] is not where people live, it is not where they were cooking their food," the University of Toronto archaeologist added.

But the newly exposed 1,400-year-old flat-topped pyramid supported residences for up to a couple dozen elites, who oversaw and perhaps took part in copper production at the site, evidence suggests.

The pre-Inca pyramid dwellers likely presided over important rituals, feasted on roasted llama and guinea pig, and drank corn beer, according to archaeologists working at the site.

Among the signs of occupation are at least 19 adobe stands where large vessels of water and corn beer were stored, as well as scattered llama, dog, guinea pig, and fish bones and traces of coca leaves and red peppers.

"There's a far more robust domestic occupation than what we would have expected," said expedition co-leader John Warner, an archaeologist with the University of Kentucky.

More information:

• Tours to Route Moche

Odd Pyramid Had Rooftop Homes, Ritual Sacrifices?

At rare Peru site, elites linked to copper industry lived on high, experts say.

John Roach

for National Geographic News

Published October 21, 2010

Yes, it's yielded human remains—including five females who may have been ritually sacrificed. But it's the signs of life that make a half-excavated Peruvian pyramid of the Moche culture stand out, archaeologists say.

"Often these pyramidal mounds were built as mortuaries more than anything else," said excavation co-leader Edward Swenson. (See pictures from the tomb of the Moche "king of bling.")

"In most instances [a pyramid] is not where people live, it is not where they were cooking their food," the University of Toronto archaeologist added.

But the newly exposed 1,400-year-old flat-topped pyramid supported residences for up to a couple dozen elites, who oversaw and perhaps took part in copper production at the site, evidence suggests.

The pre-Inca pyramid dwellers likely presided over important rituals, feasted on roasted llama and guinea pig, and drank corn beer, according to archaeologists working at the site.

Among the signs of occupation are at least 19 adobe stands where large vessels of water and corn beer were stored, as well as scattered llama, dog, guinea pig, and fish bones and traces of coca leaves and red peppers.

"There's a far more robust domestic occupation than what we would have expected," said expedition co-leader John Warner, an archaeologist with the University of Kentucky.

Pyramid Emerges

Thriving along Peru's arid northern coast from about A.D. 100 to 800, the Moche culture was composed of independently governed agricultural societies. These groups shared a common religion and a knack for irrigation systems, intricate ceramics, and metallurgy.

In August 2009 Swenson and colleagues began excavating a long mound at the roughly 60-acre (24-hectare) Huaca Colorada site in the Lamayaeque region's southern Jequetepeque Valley. The settlement dates to the Late Moche period, about A.D. 500 to 800.

During the first month of the dig, the team uncovered the mud-brick pyramid within the mound as well as the residences. Later digging turned up evidence of human sacrifice on a rooftop platform: detached body parts and the corpses of five young women, all with signs of ritual burning and one with a rope around her neck.

More info about Article of National Geographic

Other info about Northers Kingdoms

Polish archaeologists study development of ancient Peruvian cultures

A team of archaeologists from the Polish University of Wroclaw is currently conducting research studies on the development of ancient cultures settled in the lands between the headwaters of the Tambo River in Puno and Punta de Bombon in Arequipa.

The project is part of an agreement between Poland's University of Wroclaw and Arequipa-based Universidad Católica de Santa María to learn more about the ancient peoples who once lived in these southern Peruvian regions.

Augusto Belán Franco, director of the Arequipa-based university’s Museum of Archaeology, said that one of the main cultures settled in this territory was the Chiribayas, who lived in what is now the Ilo province in Moquegua, near Arequipa.

Belan pointed out that the presence of the Chiribayas in the area is known for years, although archaeologists have yet to find the evidence of ancient ruins and settlements.

"Hence the importance of this archaeological project which began two years ago," he added.

Special Interest & Study Tours

Over 13400 tourists hiked Inca Trail to Machu Picchu since reopening

Over 13400 domestic and foreign tourists hiked Inca Trail to Machu Picchu archeological Park since its reopening on April 1, the anthropologist and head of the archeological park Fernando Astete Victoria reported..

 

He also noted that the tourist flow is normal along the alternative route toward the country's main tourist destination affected by landslides.

 

The route is lined with 17 archaeological sites: Salapunku, Q’anabamba, Willkarakay, Q’entimarka, Patahuasi, Runkuraqay, Sayaqmarka, Qonchamarka, Phuyupatamarka, Yunkapata, Wiñaywayna, Intipunku, Choquesuysuy, Chachabamba, Waynaq’ente, Torontoy and Qorihuayrachina.

 

“The National Institute of Culture (INC) is responsible for the maintenance of Inca Trail as well as its monitoring and surveillance in any emergency case,” the anthropologist and head of the Park said after remarking that tourists are primarily young people.

 

According to INC figures, about 200 tourists walk the Inca Trail to visit Machu Picchu daily.

 

Read more about Machu Picchu and the inca trail

 

Archaeologists found pre-Hispanic tombs in northern Peru

Peruvian archaeologists discovered 17 pre-Hispanic tombs, reminiscence of the Chimu and Chimu-Inca (ca. 1100 - 1500 AD), two of which belonged to nobles of the past.

According to Juan Martinez Fiestas, head of the team of archaeologists, the discovery was made in the archaeological site of Jotoro, located in Lambayeque region, and involves 17 funerary contexts, of which seven have already been unearthed," El Comercio daily reported.

The researchers turned their attention to two tombs whose shape approximates that of the letter “L”.

"Tombs involve burial-chambers that house human remains encased in cane coffins with fine ceramic objects, cotton sheets and Spondylus shell ornaments," the local newspaper said.

Resources: North Kingdoms Maps

Suggest program, The Moche Route: Chiclayo and Trujillo Tour 

Northern Peru offers great beaches, marvellous archaeological sites

People embarking on a gap year tour of South America might want to make a stay in Peru one of their priorities.

This is because the Andean country has plenty to offer, according to Peru's Export and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru), i-to-i.com reports.

A PromPeru spokeswoman advised that there are other areas to visit in the destination apart from the usual tourist haunts such as Machu Picchu.

The north of Peru could be of particular interest, the expert noted, as investments in the sector are arriving to provide better tourist infrastructure and facilities.

She remarked: "The north of Peru is characterised by its beautiful beaches and warm weather during most parts of the year."

The industry expert recommended travellers head to the Kuelap Fortress and Huaca of the Sun and of the Moon, as visitors will be able to learn more about pre-Inca cultures that are as "marvellous" as the Inca civilisation.

According to a report published by Cusco’s Committee on Tourist-Cultural Integrated Services, around 70,000 visitors have gone to alternative archaeological sites to Machu Picchu this year.

Chiclayo, Trujillo, Cajamarca, Kuelap and Chachapoyas Tours
Peru Tours: 

Peru Eco Adventure
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