![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
You are in: Sci/Tech | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
Wednesday, 17 April, 2002, 18:05 GMT 19:05 UK
Mummy trove found in Peru
![]()
The scientists describe the find as an unparalleled opportunity to learn more about Inca society. So far, the archaeologists have retrieved about 2,200 mummies, though they believe there could be as many as 10,000 altogether. Grouped burials The mummified corpses come from every part of Inca society - rich and poor, young and old.
Many were buried in family groups - parents, babies and elders, wrapped together in protective cloth, often alongside prized possessions. Around 50,000 artefacts have also been discovered, including pottery, animal skins and food. Unique insight The scientists say the area was probably a major cemetery for the Incas between about 1480 and 1535.
Mummification was practised in several parts of South America from as early as 7,000 years ago, but burial sites created by the Incas and other civilisations were destroyed by the Spaniards. That means intact mummies are rare and a find on this scale, the archaeologists say, provides a unique opportunity to study the Inca society which once dominated the western regions of South America.
|
![]() |
See also:
![]() Internet links:
![]() The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Sci/Tech stories now:
![]() ![]() Links to more Sci/Tech stories are at the foot of the page.
![]() |
![]() |
Links to more Sci/Tech stories
|
![]() |
![]() |
^^ Back to top News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII | News Sources | Privacy |