The oldest mummies in the world were found near Arica, and I went to see them at a museum today. They are from between 2000-6000 BC and the bodies were not wrapped in clothes, but more like left out to dry in the desert, which turned the skin literally black. They had a newborn baby, and while the face was covered with a clay mask, the arms and legs were uncovered and you could see the details of the skin and the fingernails. Very unusual. Here´s an article.
I also thought this was interesting. Indiginous groups in the area developed increasingly intricate and high-quality crafts over the years. But then the Incan Empire took over the area, and the craftsmanship got worse. This was because the Incans forced the local people to do more rigorous work and did not allow the time needed to create quality items, and also that the Incans took the best craftsmen from the local areas to the capital city to work for the bosses.
Just proof from history that people and civilizations do not always progress with time, and that it is possible to go backwards.
I also thought this was interesting. Indiginous groups in the area developed increasingly intricate and high-quality crafts over the years. But then the Incan Empire took over the area, and the craftsmanship got worse. This was because the Incans forced the local people to do more rigorous work and did not allow the time needed to create quality items, and also that the Incans took the best craftsmen from the local areas to the capital city to work for the bosses.
Just proof from history that people and civilizations do not always progress with time, and that it is possible to go backwards.
