2,000-year-old Mochica tomb discovered in northern Peru

A team of Peruvian archeologists directed by Walter Alva discovered a 2,000-year old tomb that apparently belonged to a Mochica warrior. “This discovery is very important because the tomb could be one of the most ancient tombs at the Huaca Rajada mausoleum,” said Alva, who led the Lord of Sipán excavation in the 1980s. “The [...]

China’s famous Terracotta Army to be displayed in Peru

China’s renowned Terracotta Army will be exhibited in Peru’s capital, Lima, in 2010, China’s ambassador to Peru, Gao Zhengye, told state news agency Andina on Wednesday. “We will exchange exhibits,” said Zhengye. “An important exhibit will travel from China to Peru, and Peru will do the same in Beijing.” The Terracotta Army – considered the [...]

Genetic evidence links Peru’s ancient Mochica culture to Japanese, Siberian and Taiwanese peoples

Long-term mitochondrial DNA analysis of remains recovered from well-preserved Moche sacrificial victims reveals close ties between the ancient culture and the populations of Ecuador, Colombia, Siberia, Taiwan and the Aino, an ethnic group indigenous to Japan’s Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin, El Comercio reported Thursday. Samples taken from sacrifical victims and other mummies — [...]