5_' SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 6l 



but to some extent also to two of the more western districts of the 

 highlands. The investigations were an extension of those of [910, 

 when, besides the considerable quantity of specimens examined. 

 3,400 skulls and a large number of bones were collected. 



The investigations on both these trips to Peru followed, as already 

 stated in part, three main objects, namely: 



(1) The determination of the anthropological characteristics of 

 the pre-Columbian Indian of the coast as well as of the highland 

 regions, so far as these could be covered ; 



(2) The study of the diseases of the pre-Columbian Peruvian, 

 with a collateral inquiry as to trephining and other possible surgical 

 practices ; and 



(3) The gathering of any indications that might be found 

 relating to man's antiquity in that country. 



The results of the work are not ideal, nevertheless a number of 

 points of value, have been determined. Important parts of the 

 territory could not be reached, and even within the regions attained 

 the exploration had to be limited to what lay exposed on the ground 

 or in the caves. Furthermore, it was difficult to determine the age 

 of many of the burial grounds. Except where clear signs of a con- 

 tact with Europeans were present the age of the cemetery could only 

 be surmised. Yet it is certain that a large majority were pre- 

 Columbian ; and the problems seriously affected by the uncertainty 

 are few in number, and belong only to the realm of pathology and 

 surgery. 



Anthropologically, the opinions ventured after the conclusion of 

 the first expedition are in the main confirmed. While a few links in 

 the chain of evidence are still wanting, it can now be regarded as 

 quite certain that the Peruvian coast from Chiclayo at least, in the 

 north, to Yauca in the south — a distance of over 600 miles — was 

 peopled predominantly before the advent of the whites by one and 

 the same physical type of Indian. This type was characterized by 

 brachycephaly, moderate stature, and moderate to strong muscula- 

 ture according to localities. The most important facts ascertained 

 in this connection are that both the Chimu and the Nascas were 

 innate and, on physical grounds, inseparable parts of this people. 



These coast people were fishermen, or agriculturists, according 

 as they were settled close to the sea or farther inland. Evidently 

 they were organized into numerous political groups, which developed 

 smaller or greater cultural differences according to environment and 

 other influences. It may be permitted to introduce here a few 



