TRI':i'HI.\l':i) SKULf.S 



87 



tlic iiortli toward ilio south of South AiiuM-ica, tlicii up iuio the interior of 

 tlio contiiuMit. Ill the wall cases exteiKhn^ across the entire western end 

 of the hall will he foinid a reniarkahle collection from Xazca, Pern. The 

 prehistoiic people of Xazca (>\celled as colorists, particularly in the decora- 

 tion of their pottery vessels which are certainly the most beautiful so far 

 discovered in South America. 



The special exhibits in the <;allery rail cases include ({uipus used to 



AN EXAMPLE OF NAZCA POTTERY 



keep accounts, charms and medicines, coca w^hich was chewed with Ume, 

 and shells that were found in mummy-bundles and in the graves. A num- 

 ber of the chicha jars are on exhibition on top of the cases. 



In the first case to the left (south side) is a collection of skulls showing 



many examples of trephining, artificial deformation and 



g, ,, pathological conditions, together with a number of normal 



Peruvian skulls for comparison. 



The wall case at the left of the entrance contains mumni}^ bundles and 



various objects show-ing the burial customs of the Peruvians. In no part 



of America are found so many and so extensive burial places 



as in the coast region of Peru. Here were interred countless 



thousands of the ancient dead. In the huacos or graves, 



with the bodies, were placed such articles as had been most useful and 



highly prized during life, and such as it was considered would be most 



serviceable in a future life. 



To this custom we are indebted for no small part of our knowledge of 

 the daily life of the ancient Peruvians. From the mummv bundles and 



Mummy 

 Bundles 



