Thousands of Inca mummies
found in Peru
ABC ONLINE 18/4/2001
Archeologists in Peru have discovered several thousand mummies in a shanty town close to
the capital, Lima, dating from the last years of the Inca civilisation about 500 years
ago.
The BBC reports the scientists have described the find as an unparalleled opportunity to
learn more about Inca society.
So far the archeologists have retrieved around 2,200 mummies, but they believe there could
be as many as 10,000 altogether.
The mummified corpses come from every part of Inca society, rich and poor, young and old.
Some are still wearing headdresses made of feathers which mark them out as high-ranking
people.
Many were buried in family groups with parents, babies and elders wrapped together in
protective cloth, often alongside prized possessions.
Around 50,000 artifacts have also been discovered, including pottery, animal skins and
food.
END OF REPORT
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