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The remains of two infant girls have been discovered in a cemetery of the Nazca culture in southern Peru, dated between 325 and 440 CE. One of them had cyclopia, a rare malformation of the brain and face. According to Archaeology Magazine, which reports the work of Elsa Tomasto-Cagigao and her colleagues at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, these finds provide valuable information on the health and funerary rites of this Andean civilization.
A discovery in a Nazca cemetery dating to the 4th century
The remains were unearthed in southern Peru, in a cemetery attributed to the Nazca culture and dated to a period between 325 and 440 CE. This civilization, famous for the geoglyphs drawn in the coastal desert, left numerous graves that today allow researchers to study the daily life and beliefs of its people.
According to Archaeology Magazine, the discovery was reported by the website Phys.org. It stands out for the presence of two infants placed in the same ceramic vessel, a burial practice that deserves to be placed in the wider Andean funerary context.
A rare malformation: cyclopia
Cyclopia is a very rare congenital anomaly affecting the development of the brain and the bones of the face. It results in a single orbital cavity located at the center of the forehead, accompanied by major malformations. Researchers point out that most children born with this condition die before or shortly after birth.
The affected infant had a smaller skull than normal, a single orbit at the center of the forehead, and no nasal bones or nostrils. The openings for the optic nerves were fused, and two vertebrae of the spine were malformed.
What genetic analysis reveals
Genetic analysis established that the two children were girls, but that they were not related by maternity. This result shows that the vessel held two infants without a direct maternal link, a finding that calls for caution in interpreting collective burial practices.
The infant with cyclopia carried an extra copy of chromosome 13. According to the researchers, this chromosomal anomaly may explain its rare developmental condition. It is one of the elements that give this discovery particular scientific significance.
A study published in PNAS
The results were the subject of a scientific article published in the journal PNAS, the journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences. This type of publication allows the scientific community to examine the methods used, whether the osteological study or the analysis of ancient DNA.
For archaeologists, the study of children's skeletons showing malformations also sheds light on how ancient societies received people who were different, including from birth. These questions remain delicate to interpret from material remains alone.
Going further on the Nazca culture
The Nazca culture developed on the south coast of present-day Peru for several centuries before and into the early centuries of the Common Era. It is associated with polychrome pottery and a rich funerary art, notably the textiles found in desert tombs.
Heritage enthusiasts can pursue this reading by consulting the collections of Peruvian and foreign museums devoted to Andean art. Archaeology Magazine also offers an article on the Paracas textile, which sheds light on the neighboring cultural context of these peoples.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nazca culture?
The Nazca culture is a pre-Columbian civilization that developed on the south coast of Peru. It is known for its desert geoglyphs, colorful ceramics and funerary textiles. It disappeared before the arrival of the Incas.
What is cyclopia?
Cyclopia is a rare congenital malformation characterized by a single orbital cavity at the center of the forehead. It results from a developmental defect of the brain and face. Most affected children do not survive long after birth.
Where was the Nazca cemetery discovered?
The cemetery was discovered in southern Peru. It is dated between 325 and 440 CE, according to information reported by Archaeology Magazine.
Which study published these results?
The results were published in the scientific journal PNAS. The team, led by Elsa Tomasto-Cagigao, is affiliated with the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.
Sources
- Remains of Two Infant Girls Found in Peruvian Nazca Cemetery — Archaeology Magazine
Original summary written with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited, checked automatically, then translated from the French original. Information and quotations belong to their authors. Read the French original.
