Latest news with #pre-Incan
Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Long-tailed mammal with ‘facial mask' caught in trap in Peru. It's a new species
In the Andes Mountains of northern Peru, a long-tailed mammal with a 'facial mask' moved through the undergrowth. Suddenly, the ground dropped out underneath its hairy paws, and it fell into a slippery-sided hole. Scientists checked their trap — and discovered a new species waiting inside. A team of researchers visited Abiseo River National Park in 2018 and set up a pitfall trap near an archaeology site. The group suspected the 'long-neglected region' had more diverse wildlife than currently known, according to a study published June 19 in the peer-reviewed journal American Museum Novitates. When the team checked one of its traps, it found an unfamiliar-looking small mammal, the study said. Researchers immediately recognized the animal as a mouse opossum, a group of marsupials native to the Americas, but 'were impressed by its slender and long (snout)!' study co-author Pamela Sánchez-Vendizú told McClatchy News via email. Intrigued, the scientists took a closer look at the opossum, analyzed its DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Marmosa chachapoya, or the Chachapoyas mouse opossum. The Chachapoyas mouse opossum can reach over 10 inches in length, the study said. Its head has a 'remarkably narrow and long' snout and a 'blackish facial mask.' Its hands and feet are 'densely covered by pale-yellow hairs,' and its tail is 'much longer' than its body. Photos show the 'reddish brown' coloring of the new species. Generally, mouse opossums 'are primarily insectivorous, but they also eat small fruits and small vertebrates (such as) frogs, mice (and) baby birds,' study co-author Robert Voss told McClatchy News via email. 'They primarily climb in trees, aided by their prehensile feet and tail. They are exclusively nocturnal.' 'The new species was captured at a much higher altitude than most other species' of mouse opossum, Voss said. Still, much about its lifestyle and behavior remains unknown. The Chachapoyas mouse opossum 'seems to be a rare species,' Sánchez-Vendizú said. So far, only one specimen of the new species has been found at the Abiseo River National Park in the Andes Mountains of northern Peru, a roughly 580-mile drive northeast from Lima. Researchers said they named the new species Chachapoyas after the indigenous and pre-Incan culture 'that formerly occupied the cloud forests of northern Peru.' 'The Andes remain very poorly explored for small, secretive animal species,' Voss said. 'The discovery of our new species underscores the need for continued biological exploration in this region,' Sánchez-Vendizú said. The new species was identified by its snout and skull shape, claws, tail, teeth and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had 'almost 8%' genetic divergence from related species. The research team included Silvia Pavan, Edson Abreu, Sánchez-Vendizú and Voss.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Have Found Evidence of a Drug Room and ‘Snuff Tubes' at an Ancient Site in Peru
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of psychedelic drug use and 'snuff tubes" in a previously sealed-off room at an ancient site in Peru The researchers found the room at Chavín de Huántar, a major archaeological site in the Peruvian highlands constructed by the Chavín, a pre-Incan culture that flourished between 900 and 200 B.C. The small size of the room has led archaeologists to hypothesize that only a few Chavín elite were allowed to partake in the ritualistic drug useArchaeologists have discovered evidence of psychedelic drug use and 'snuff tubes" in a formally sealed-off chamber at an ancient site in Peru, according to a new study. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal PNAS, states that the previously unknown chamber was discovered at Chavín de Huántar, an archaeological site in the Peruvian highlands constructed by the Chavín, a major pre-Incan culture that thrived between 900 and 200 B.C. The room was found to contain 23 artifacts 'associated with consumption of psychoactive plants' — including hollowed-out bird bones thought to be used as 'snuff tubes.' Further micro-botanical and chemical analyses confirmed traces of 'psychoactive plants" — also known as hallucinogens — and six of them specifically contained traces of tobacco and DMT, a drug commonly found in ayahuasca. The study's authors note that while Chavín rituals involving hallucinogenic drugs have 'long been hypothesized,' this is the first time these substances have been directly identified at the site. "The tubes are analogous to the rolled-up bills that high-rollers snort cocaine through in the movies," Daniel Contreras, an archaeologist at the University of Florida, told Live Science. "The tubes would have been used — we think — as inhalers for taking the snuff through the nose,' he added. Chavín de Huántar, located in the Peruvian highlands, was a center for ritual activity, according to the outlet. The large complex is made up of stone structures built around open plazas, and as additional structures were added over time, several rooms became interior spaces — which is how the room containing the 23 artifacts became hidden. In a statement to CBS News, Contreras further noted that the small size of the interior rooms — which could only hold a few people at a time — could indicate that drug use was used to reinforce social hierarchy, and that perhaps only an elite class was allowed to partake. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "This is compelling evidence that psychoactive plants were part of formalized and tightly-controlled rituals rather than individual vision-quests or shamanic healing practices," Contreras told the outlet. "As such, they seem to have been an important element in the long-term transition from small egalitarian societies to large stratified ones, where social, political, and economic inequality were thought of as normal and to be expected rather than unusual," he added. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Remains of 24 Battle Victims Discovered in Mass Burial Site by Archeologists
Archeologists have discovered what appears to be a collective burial site with the remains of 24 people. While excavating in El Curaca — a settlement in Atico River Valley, Peru, that predates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas — researchers from the University of Wroclaw in Poland found a circular tomb containing the remains of 24 men, women and children. The names of those inside were listed on a stone inscription, a translated Facebook post from the researchers read. Related: Archeologists Discover First Pharaoh's Tomb in Egypt Since King Tut's Was Found More Than a Century Ago Each body was wrapped in a fabric, and buried "in accordance with ritual and relatively rich equipment," the post read. Additionally, the site saw "grave gifts," such as items made from ceramic, stone and wood, as well as corn cobs. Pottery pieces with the hallmarks of the Chuquibamba or Aruni people — a pre-Incan group that lived south of the excavation site, near the Majes basin, from roughly 1000 to 1450 A.D. — were also found near the bodies. "The bones confirmed numerous damages that are the direct cause of death of all individuals," the post read, which led researchers to conclude that those inside the tomb sustained fatal injuries, likely from a battle. Those in the tomb were presumably part of the side that won the conflict, given the detail of the burials and the quality of the burial gifts. Related: 'Extraordinary' Tomb of Ancient Egyptian Called 'Lady of the House' Found 4,000 Years After Her Death Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The region in which the burial site was found was relatively undisturbed. CBS News reported that previous research led archeologists to find cave sites with rock paintings and signs of Inca roads, but otherwise, not much other anthropological work has been conducted in the area. The research team from the University of Wroclaw is expected to remain in the area through April, the outlet reported. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tomb filled with skulls, bones of 24 battle victims discovered in Peru
Researchers carrying out excavation work in southern Peru found a tomb filled with the remains of two dozen people believed to be battle victims. Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Wrocław in Poland have been studying a settlement in the Atico River Valley, a geographical area along the Puru's southern coast, the university said in a translated post on social media. The settlement existed before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, researchers said. Previous research has found the remains of Inca roads and some cave sites with rock paintings, researchers said, but little other work has been done in the region. Archaeological work in a cemetery area led to the discovery of the circular tomb. The burial site had a stone inscription listing 24 names, including those of men, women and children. The bones found inside the burial site were analyzed. The anthropological analyses confirmed that all 24 people in the tomb had "numerous damages," or battle injuries, "that are the direct cause of death." There were also "grave gifts" found at the site, including pottery pieces identified as belonging to the Chuquibamba or Aruni people, a pre-Incan culture based around the Majes basin, south of the research site. The bodies were wrapped in textiles. Pieces of ceramic, stone and wood products were also found, as well as corn cobs. The remains at the site were buried "in accordance with ritual," the researchers noted. The research team said they believed the group was killed as a result of a conflict. The people who died were likely from the group that won the conflict, allowing for the elaborate burial, the researchers said. Work at the site will continue through April. White House responds to judge who found cause to hold Trump administration in contempt Outbreak Science | 60 Minutes Archive Demis Hassabis | Sunday on 60 Minutes
CBS News
18-04-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Tomb filled with skulls and bones of 24 battle victims discovered in Peru
Researchers carrying out excavation work in southern Peru found a tomb filled with the remains of two dozen people believed to be battle victims. Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Wrocław in Poland have been studying a settlement in the Atico River Valley, a geographical area along the Puru's southern coast, the university said in a translated post on social media . The settlement existed before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, researchers said. Previous research has found the remains of Inca roads and some cave sites with rock paintings, researchers said, but little other work has been done in the region. Archaeological work in a cemetery area led to the discovery of the circular tomb. The burial site had a stone inscription listing 24 names, including those of men, women and children. The bones found inside the burial site were analyzed. The anthropological analyses confirmed that all 24 people in the tomb had "numerous damages," or battle injuries, "that are the direct cause of death." There were also "grave gifts" found at the site, including pottery pieces identified as belonging to the Chuquibamba or Aruni people, a pre-Incan culture based around the Majes basin, south of the research site. The bodies were wrapped in textiles. Pieces of ceramic, stone and wood products were also found, as well as corn cobs. The remains at the site were buried "in accordance with ritual," the researchers noted. The research team said they believed the group was killed as a result of a conflict. The people who died were likely from the group that won the conflict, allowing for the elaborate burial, the researchers said. Work at the site will continue through April.
