Police recover Inca mummy among artefacts to sold on black market
March 29, 2010
A mummy of a 4 year old girl, as well as numerous Inca and pre-Inca ceramics were uncovered by police in two homes in the Cusco region, preventing them from being sold on the black market.
Inca mummy (click to enlarge)
The surprise operation, which took place on Friday, was the result of investigative work carried out by the regional police force.
The two homes where the collections of artefacts were found are located in the district of Pisac in the sacred valley.
As soon as ancient artefacts are safely out of Peru, they are openly sold through large auction houses like Christie’s who support the illegal trade in cultural heritage.
The mummy of the Inca child, found in the first house that was searched, was found covered by a Inca mantle and in a state of decomposition. In the same home was another textile from the Paracas culture and 23 ceramic items from the ancient Chavín and Moche cultures. In the second home were found 15 Inca era ceramics.
According to officials, the items were to be sold on the black market to collectors. Those involved in the smuggling are expected to be charged with crimes against national heritage.
Poor rural Peruvians are disconnected from their heritage, so much so that the vast majority of archaeological sites in Peru have been completely destroyed beyond all hope of recovery.
Most sites look like the lunar surface, covered in holes dug by the tomb robbers. If you in the developed world wonder why we know so little about pre-Columbian cultures, ask the collector who lives down the street from you.
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It’s really a shame. You can see a lot of destruction of historic, archaeological structures in Chorrillos as well.
This is what I was refering a bit earlyer, in the segment of Archeology and the meny hidden treasures of Peru and the Inca art still found. I urge very strongly to my ellow countrymen/wemen, to make the effot in speacking to the poor people of peru to find other means of income and allthou it may be harder to do, it will preserve our vaeluble treasures, culture and heritage alive for the world to erstand the significance of the Inca empiere has in the worls, even still today, the great blending of two incredible good willed peoples of the Inca and the Spaniard; both are equaly important, for thier peoples, culture, religion and history!!! I was born in the USA, however I was raized in peru in my infancy, and whatever happens there still afect my life a great deal!!!! ‘Que viva el Peru”
[...] Police recover Inca mummy among artefacts to sold on black market [...]
[...] Police in Peru recovered Paracas, Chavin, and Moche artifacts, in addition to the mummy of an Inca child, from two homes in the Cusco region. The objects would have been sold on the black market. [...]
[...] 26, 2010 in Uncategorized Two men have been arrested in Cuzco with a cache of artifacts from all over Peru, one of which was the mummy of a four year old [...]