See other History Articles
Title: Moment 600 years ago that terror came to Mummies of the Amazon
Source:
This is London
URL Source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/ ... mmies+of+the+Amazon/article.do
Published: Jan 10, 2007
Author: Unattributed
Post Date: 2007-01-12 00:13:02 by Tauzero
Keywords: None
Views: 215
Comments: 9
Moment 600 years ago that terror came to Mummies of the Amazon Hands over her eyes and her face gripped with terror, the woman's fear of death is all too obvious. The remarkable mummy was found in a hidden burial vault in the Amazon. It is at least 600 years old and has survived thanks to the embalming skills of her tribe, the Chachapoyas or cloud warriors. Eleven further mummies were recovered from the massive cave complex 82ft down. The vault - which was also used for worship - was chanced upon three months ago by a farmer working at the edge of northern Peru's rainforest. He tipped off scientists who uncovered ceramics, textiles and wall paintings. The Chachapoyas were a tall, fairhaired, light-skinned race that some researchers believe may have come from Europe. Little is known about them except that they were one of the more advanced ancient civilisations in the area. Adept at fighting, they commanded a large kingdom from the year 800 to 1500 that stretched across the Andes. It is not known what the Chachapoyas actually called themselves - they are identified by the name given to them by their rivals and eventual conquerors, the Incas. It comes from the Inca's Quechua language and means 'cloud people', because of the high forests in the clouds that the Chachapoyas inhabited. Virtually all record of the tribe was lost when the Incas were themselves overrun by the Spanish conquistadors who landed in 1512. They have, however, left behind a spectacular citadel, called Kuelap, 10,000ft up in the Andes. It has more than 400 buildings and defensive towers, many of them with decorated walls, cornices and friezes. Some experts rate Kuelap more highly than the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu. Herman Crobera, the leader of the archaeological team that explored the cave, said: 'This is a discovery of transcendental importance. 'It is the first time any kind of underground burial site this size has been found belonging to Chachapoyas or other cultures in the region.' He said walls near the mummies in the limestone cave were covered with paintings of faces and warriorlike figures which may have been drawn to ward off intruders and evil spirits. 'The remote site for this cemetery tells us that the Chachapoyas had enormous respect for their ancestors because they hid them away for protection,' added Mr Crobera. 'Locals call the cave Iyacyecuj, or enchanted water, because of its spiritual importance and its underground rivers.' The archaeologists have not yet established an accurate age for their finds. Once they have finished exploring and excavating the tomb, Peruvian authorities want to turn it into a museum. The mummies are going on show at the Museum of the Nation in the capital Lima.
10.01.07
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Tauzero (#0)
Good gravy. More evidence that allowing your borders to go unprotected will be the downfall of your society.
 | This country's priorities are all fucked up. |
#2. To: Tauzero (#0)
I've never read about the cloud people before. I suppose they migrated across the Bering Straits. There was a find in North America of an early caucasian, Kennewick man.
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. – Tacitus
#3. To: robin, Tauzero (#2)
We don't know if Kennewick man was Caucasian, but he has features of one. Their is speculation based on the style of flints that Caucasians from Europe sailed along the ice shelf into North America. Also possibel that along with Mongoloid nomads, Caucasians migrated over the Bearing ice bridge from Asia. Lastly, it is proven that Australian Aboriginal blacks were the first people into the Americas in South America and they were wiped out by the invading Asiatics.
I've never read about the cloud people before. I suppose they migrated across the Bering Straits. There was a find in North America of an early caucasian, Kennewick man.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
#4. To: Destro (#3)
Their astounding visual memory was not enough to make up for their smaller brains.
Lastly, it is proven that Australian Aboriginal blacks were the first people into the Americas in South America and they were wiped out by the invading Asiatics.
It's not everyone who catches that quick change in quality in that particular portion of Disney's "The Three Little Pigs."
#5. To: Tauzero (#4) (Edited)
"Brain size" had nothing to do with their elimination from the Americas - it was done via force.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
#6. To: Tauzero (#0)
The Irish got around.
The Chachapoyas were a tall, fairhaired, light-skinned race that some researchers believe may have come from Europe.
I've already said too much.
#7. To: MUDDOG (#6)
I doubt they were Irish or they would have had metal tools. They were probably a different form of Asiatic.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
#8. To: MUDDOG (#6)
I'm gettin' bugged driving up and down the same old strip
Nemo: There is a fork to your left Mr. Land. Why don't you use it? Are you unfamiliar with utensils?
Ned Land: I'm indifferent to 'em.
#9. To: Tauzero (#8)
The bad Incas knew them and didn't leave them alone.
eventual conquerors, the Incas
I've already said too much.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest