July 21, 2010
Pre-Incan Civilization Leader Unearthed By Archaeologists
A researcher says that Peruvian archaeologists have found the remains of a person believed to be a leader of a key pre-Incan civilization that is over 1,200 years old.
Carlos Elera told AFP that the remains from the northern region of Lambayeque are from what some call the Sican culture that flourished in the area between 700 and 1375 AD.Elera said a type of sarcophagus for an adult with a headdress and a feathered eye mask, which are "characteristic of the nobles of the Sican culture," were part of the remains found two weeks ago in the archaeological complex Las Ventanas.
The researcher added that objects found included a ceremonial knife, ceramics, and textiles with copper plates.
He said since the research began in April at the site, the remains of about 20 people have been found in good condition.
The remains of a child of three to four years of age believed to be from between 1100 and 1150 AD were among the finds.
Sican culture emerged between 700 and 750 AD and remained a power until 1375.
Researchers say the culture flourished for around 200 years under seven to eight "lord of Sican," and then vanished after the Chimu conquest of the Lambayeque region around 1375 AD.
Image Caption: Example of a 9-11th century Sican funerary mask located at the Metropolitan Museum. Credit: Xuan Rosemanios (Wikipedia)