SKELETAL REMAINS FROM PERU STEWART 157 



full photographic and written record of the excavations and of the 

 associated cultural objects. These splendid records greatly enhance 

 the value of the collections as well as studies based thereon. 



The cultural picture, as given to me by Sr. Larco, briefly stated, 

 is as follows 2 : The Cupisnique (Chavin of Tello. Middle Moche I of 

 Bennett) skeletons are found always flexed (see pi. 17a). The most 

 common position is on the back with legs flexed either both on one 

 side or one on each side. Other positions include side or face down. 

 The graves are relatively simple, being only a circular or elliptical 

 hole in the ground. One to four clay pots have been found accom- 

 panying the body, together with stone vessels and various semi- 

 precious stones used as ornaments. The pottery is usually of a dark 

 gray color, but may be orange-red or be decorated in combinations of 

 red and black or red and white. Usually a red pigment had been 

 placed in the grave in small bags, which subsequently rotted away, 

 and hence some of the bones often are found to be discolored. Metals 

 have not been encountered in the graves. 



In contrast to the Cupisnique graves those of the Mochica (Early 

 Chimu of Kroeber, Early Moche of Bennett) are fairly elaborate. 

 There is a boxlike chamber constructed of rectangular adobes. The 

 shape of this tomb is variable, being either irregularly elliptical, round 

 or rectangular, simple or multiple. Sometimes there is a rude cane 

 coffin. The skeletons found in these tombs are always extended on 

 the back with arms to the sides (see pi. 17&). Positional variations 

 include crossing of the feet and crossing of the hands over the pelvis. 

 Accompanying the body there have been found 1 to 133 pieces of 

 pottery, placed at the head and/or feet, or in especially constructed 

 containers in the walls of the tomb. In the case where 133 pieces 

 were found with the burial they were actually covering the whole 

 body. This pottery is characterized by designs in red and white and 

 by a multiplicity of forms. (See also Kroeber, 1930; Bennett, 1939.) 

 Encountered in the graves also are ornaments of gold, silver, and 

 copper 3 together with various semiprecious stones. 



The Cupisnique skulls usually show the fronto-occipital ("tabular 

 erecta" of Imbelloni) type of deformity, whereas the Mochica skulls 

 are undeformed. 



There, is some disagreement as to the relative age of these two cul- 

 tures. Bennett, who visited this region in 1936, before any Cupis- 

 nique graves had been found, places the Cupisnique culture as later 

 than Mochica, on the basis of sherd analysis. He remarks "that the 



3 Sinco this was first written Sr. Larco's publication "Los Cupisniqnes" (1041) has 

 appeared, which," together with "Los Mochieas" (1938, 1039), should be consulted^ for 

 further details. I understand that a temporally intermediate group between Cupisnique 

 and Mochica now has been discovered. It has been named "Salinar." Nothing has been 

 reported as yet concerning the skeletal type. 



3 Green copper stain about the alveolus and face of the skull is a common finding. 



