156 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.93 



way of interpretation is possible in connection with the present .-tries 

 only by reason of the existence in the U. S. National Museum of a large 

 miscellaneous collection from the "Chicama Valley." This collection 

 probably is a random sampling from about 30 sites and represents all 

 culi ina! periods. 1 



Now it happens that this miscellaneous collection includes both de- 

 formed and undeformed skulls (see plates 15 and 16). This fact 

 makes it possible to assemble statistically adequate series of unde- 

 formed skulls on the one hand and of deformed skulls on the other, 

 on the basis of which to seek answers to the following questions: (1) 

 How docs the homogeneity of the undeformed series compare with 

 that of other populations? (2) Were the people who deformed their 

 heads of the same skull type as those who did not follow this custom \ 

 If in answer to the first of these questions we find a degree of homo- 

 geneity comparable to that of other Indian populations, each from 

 one place and time, we may conclude either that the undeformed skulls 

 found in the Chicama-Moche-Viru region are all from one cultural 

 period, or, as is more likely, that only one physical type has occupied 

 the region. If, conversely, this undeformed sample is found to be 

 quite variable in many of its characters, we will be dealing of course 

 with a mixed population. The answer to the second question, then, 

 which is self-explanatory, should also provide data on the homogeneity 

 of the deformed group for comparison with the undeformed. 



After investigating these problems I shall discuss the classification 

 of physical types in America as it relates to the material under 

 consideration. 



CULTURE 



The division of the skeletal material seen at Chiclin into two parts 

 representing two cultural periods had been determined prior to my 

 visit on the basis of the associated cultural objects, chiefly pottery. 

 Secondary evidence for the division consisted of burial custom, dis- 

 coloration of the bones from accompanying pigments, and cranial 

 deformity. These two cultural periods are known, following the 

 Larco terminology, as Cupisnique and Mochica. 



It was a pleasure to find the skeletal remains under consideration 

 carefully preserved in individual wooden boxes constructed for the 

 purpose. Moreover, there was ready recourse when necessary to a 



1 Ilrdlh'ka stated in 1011 that his collections from the district of Trujillo "comprise over 

 1100 crania" (p. 7). Referring to this collection in 1014 he states that "over 1200 crania 

 . . . were secured" (p. 45). Although about 25 skulls have been sent away in exchanges and 

 42 others could not be used in the present study, the remainder numbers 99G, so that 

 there docs not appear ever to have b<en quite so many skulls in this collection as has been 

 stated. All this material is catalogued "Chicama Valley," but a small percentage is from 

 the Moche Valley and intervening coast. Dr. Hrdlicka tells me now that all usable 

 exposed specimens were taken. 



