A couple of priorities for today… the National Archaeological & Anthropology Museum, Huaca Pucllana, and the search for a couple of souvenirs.
The Museo Nacional De Arqueologia, Anthropologie E Historian Del Peru is one of the best museums we’ve been to. It traced the history of Peru from the early Chavin period, through the Spanish conquest, to recent times as Peru shifted to independence.
The Chavin period is the earliest known period of Peruvian history. The pottery and totems depicted the snake, Puma, and condor that we’ve heard about throughout the tour.
During the Paracas time (250-200bc), people were buried in ‘funeral bundles’ weighing up to 100kg. They were dressed with gold, and elaborate textiles which gave insights into their interactions with other societies.
The sculptures and artefacts throughout all the periods were fantastic. Great inspiration for art projects for Alex in the coming years!
Cranial modification was performed in Paracas times. This would have been performed in childhood by drilling small holes in the skull and then separating portions using a stone or metal chisel. Cotton nuts were also used, and found in the sashes that would have been roped around the children’s head. This resulted in different skull shapes. ‘Many’ were successful, and highlighted the surgical knowledge… I’m just glad that it hasn’t continued.
After the Museum we headed on a souvenir search. I’d seen people running in ‘Nike Peru’ shirts, so surely they’re available… many km later, broker, defeated, and empty handed, I had to give up. Maybe I need to do a marathon here?
Huaca Pucllana is a huge site in the middle of Lima. It’s the remains of a pyramid Tempe built in the 3rd to 8th centuries. The site was found in 1981, believed to have been buried and hidden when the last dynasty left the area.
The construction is a unique ‘Bookshelf technique’, where bricks are laid vertically, and the gaps are designed to dissipate the vibrations of earthquakes.
Each dynasty would fill in the previous homes, and then build a new home on top – hence the pyramid. Unfortunately, poor excavation has meant that the pyramid shape and exterior has been lost, but with at least 7 years more work to go, hopefully it will be retained in the next phase.
Tomorrow we head to Santiago for our last few days in South America. It will be sad to leave Peru, but the Incas don’t have a word for ‘goodbye’, just ‘See you again soon’. I like that 🙂
Love M & theBunch x
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