80.6 and 78.1 microns in diameter. Those froma third specimen 
had an average diameter of 86.6 microns. These dimensions are 
similar to those of the pollen grains of modern races such as 
Nal-Tel and Palomero Toluqueno of Mexico, which have pol- 
len diameters of 81.2 and 77.9 microns respectively (Galinat, 
1961). 
PROPHYLLS: Several of the husks systems, four in all, had 
their prophylls still attached. These are identical in their 
characteristics to those of modern maize in having two distinct 
prominent keels. These are illustrated in Plate 48B. 
DISCUSSION 
The specimens from the Los Gavilanes site in Huarmey, 
including all parts of the plant, show that the prehistoric maize 
from this site is virtually identical to modern maize in all its 
characteristics, except size. The plant-to-plant variability is 
less than that found in contemporary races collected at any 
single location. With a few exceptions the specimens can be 
assigned to the Peruvian popcorn race Confite Morocho, as it is 
found today growing in the low to middle altitudes in the 
Central Andes of Peru, and as it was grown in the same loca- 
tions 6200 and 4700 years ago, as evidenced by MacNeish’s 
finds in Ayacucho, Peru caves (vide MacNeish et al. 1970). 
There seems to be little doubt, if any, that the Los Gavilanes 
maize is representative of corn grown on the Central North 
Coast of Peru, at a late pre-ceramic period, and that it was 
introduced to the Coast from the highlands of Peru at least 
about 5,000 years ago. 
Although there is some resemblance between the early Los 
Gavilanes maize and early popcorn of Mexico of the Chapalote 
race, itis premature to speculate on the possible significance of 
the similarities. It may be that early maize had similar overall 
morphological characteristics, and this is to be expected, as the 
forces of mutation, selection, and hybridization would not 
have had the time after domestication at various sites, to effect 
the profound qualitative and quantitative changes in morphol- 
ogy that are apparent in maize today. Yet, one thing is common 
234 
