Archaeologists have found conclusive evidence of psychedelic drug use more than 2,500 years ago in Peru
Archaeologists in Peru have discovered a 2,500-year-old secret drug room filled with hollowed-out bird bones containing traces of psychedelic snuff and tobacco
The presence of the "snuff tubes" in a hidden room suggests the elite held secret
"The tubes are analogous to the rolled-up bills that high-rollers snort cocaine through in the movies," Daniel Contreras
an archaeologist at the University of Florida
In a study published Monday (May 5) in the journal PNAS
Contreras and a team of archaeologists analyzed the chemical residue in 23 bone and shell artifacts from the archaeological site of Chavín de Huántar in the north-central highlands of Peru
They set out to investigate a long-standing assumption that rituals at the site involved psychoactive substances
This study is the first to show the specific drugs that were inhaled at Chavín
where ritual activity was high but there was little direct evidence of drug use
Chavín was a major center of ritual activity between 1200 B.C. and 400 B.C., before the birth of the Inca empire
The complex included stone structures built around open plazas
As people added to the buildings over the centuries
several rooms became interior spaces called galleries
Related: Secret ancient Andean passageways may have been used in rituals involving psychedelics
One particular gallery was sealed around 500 B.C
and not opened again until archaeological excavation in 2017
they discovered 23 artifacts carved from animal bone and shell into tubes and spoons
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(Image credit: Giuseppe Alva Valverde)Snuff tubes carved from hollow bones found at the Chavín archaeological site in Peru
(Image credit: Daniel Contreras)Psychoactive plants depicted in art at the archaeological site of Chavín in Peru include vilca (top left)
(Image credit: Daniel Contreras)A view of the archaeological site of Chavín in Peru
(Image credit: Daniel Contreras)A rendering of Chavín at its height
including several monumental buildings around a large plaza
(Image credit: Daniel Contreras)A llama stands in front of the archaeological site of Chavín in Peru
An analysis of the chemical residue on the artifacts revealed that six contained the organic compounds nicotine, likely from tobacco, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug commonly found in ayahuasca tea
Further microbotanical analysis showed that four of the artifacts once contained roots of wild Nicotiana species and the DMT-containing seeds and leaves of vilca (Anadenanthera colubrina)
toasted and ground up to produce a potent snuff
"The tubes would have been used — we think — as inhalers," Contreras said
The bone snuff tubes, which may have been made from the wings of a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
were also concentrated in restricted-access areas of Chavín
suggesting that psychoactive substance use was controlled by select participants
Because only a handful of people could fit in the small gallery areas at Chavín
the researchers think drug use reinforced the social hierarchy
creating an elite class separate from the workers who built Chavín's impressive monuments
—Massive circular tomb filled with battle-scarred people unearthed in Peru
—1,300-year-old throne room of powerful Moche queen discovered in Peru
"One of the ways that inequality was justified or naturalized was through ideology — through the creation of impressive ceremonial experiences that made people believe this whole project was a good idea," Contreras said in a statement
Controlled access to ritual drug use also may help to explain a major social transition in the ancient Andes — from more egalitarian societies to the more hierarchical Tiwanaku
These results suggest that additional work is needed to fully understand the importance of psychoactive substances in the ancient Andes
Kristina KillgroveStaff writerKristina Killgrove is a staff writer at Live Science with a focus on archaeology and paleoanthropology news
Her articles have also appeared in venues such as Forbes, Smithsonian
Killgrove holds postgraduate degrees in anthropology and classical archaeology and was formerly a university professor and researcher
She has received awards from the Society for American Archaeology and the American Anthropological Association for her science writing
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The Government of Peru announced that the Inca Trail will be closed from March 16 to March 31
The closure is due to heightened dangers to Inca Trail visitors relating to heavy seasonal rainfall
which has caused landslides and instable terrain throughout the region
Nearby tourist attractions Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Trek have also been affected by landslides
in some cases stranding hikers for extended periods of time
The regional government advised that the Salkantay trek is also closed until further notice
Embassy recommends that individuals in or traveling through affected areas reconsider their plans and follow the guidance of local authorities
Travelers may still access Machu Picchu through alternative routes
and the historical site itself remains open
The panoramic trail within Machu Picchu (Route 1A) is also closed due to landslides until further notice
visitors are encouraged to contact their respective tour company operators
Tourists can also reach out directly to the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura Cusco by email at tuboleto@cultura.gob.pe
or by telephone at +51 84 255805 and +51 84 582030 (ext
and hotels whether planned hikes or travel itineraries are open and safe due to the inclement weather
Avoid areas and routes affected by heavy rains or flooding
Find alternative routes to your destination
Monitor local media and Peruvian government agencies for updates
Flash floods and mudslides can occur without warning
and ensure that you have appropriate first aid
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This is the legendary Inca Trail
South America's most popular hike and one of the world's most jaw-droppingly beautiful treks
which was designed and built more than 600 years ago by Inca engineers
the Peruvian government limits the number of passes available to visitors during the trail's March-to-January opening (the trail opens 31 March 2025)
every year permits for the 43km hike sell out quickly as travellers try to secure one of the roughly 200 daily passes allocated daily for tourists
How can such an idyllic place hike generate so much conflict
According to the trail's Indigenous guides
the problem is a lack of law enforcement governing porters' working conditions
Since mules are prohibited on the Inca Trail because their hooves would destroy the ancient stone paving and stairs
trekkers are required to hire porters to haul their camping equipment
Porters' days often begin at 05:00 and end after 22:00
While a 2022 law mandates that porters receive s/650 Peruvian Nuevo Soles (£140 or $176) for the four-day trek
very few trekking agencies abide by this and pay as little as s/350 (£75 or $95) per trek
trekking agency lawyers have been fighting it
and in the meantime refusing to pay the legal wage
In addition to trekking agencies not compensating porters properly, many companies require their porters to carry more weight than the 20kg maximum that is also stipulated in the law
"Most [male] porters carry about 30kg
and I've seen 40kg packs," says Natalia Amao Huillca
who has been guiding travellers along the Inca Trail since 2007
"About 80% of the injuries I see in porters are knee injuries
They frequently ask me for pain pills in the evening."
According to Cenovia Quispe Flores, who has worked as a porter for Evolution Treks Peru since 2018
"The law for women is 15kg," but she says she has seen women working for other companies carrying 25 to 30kg
many companies either send gear around the first checkpoint where porters' backpacks are weighed or simply pay those off who enforce these limits
it's not strict for everybody," explains Shandira Arque Lucana
who has guided hikers on the Inca Trail since 2016
She says that big companies cut deals with people working the checkpoints but that small companies don't have enough influence to evade enforcement
Want to travel better? Thoughtful Travel is a series on the ways people behave while away
Even companies that want to play by the rules can find themselves stymied by the strict limit of 500 total people (which includes 300 non-tourist porters and guides) allowed on the trail each day
Sometimes there is extra weight but no way to add an extra porter
"I've seen many porters working with hernias
bad knees and ankle problems," says Pedro
a guide who asked not to be identified by his real name
"I know a porter who became an alcoholic because he couldn't get treatment for his injured knee
and he dulls the pain with cañazo (a liquor made from sugarcane)"
They drink unclean water from streams and handwashing taps near bathrooms
though paying customers get filtered and boiled water
what should travellers know if they want to trek South America's most famous ruins in a responsible
the first thing to remember is that there are other treks that lead to Machu Picchu
Amao Huillca notes that companies who hire many female porters often treat their staff better than those who only have one or none
"I like working with porter teams that are half women and have a woman head porter," she says
"Most companies send one or two token women porters." She says that because female porters are more inclined to go to a doctor when they're injured than their male colleagues
tourists who request women porters are more likely to trek with healthier porters
"One way to ensure that porters are treated and paid well is for there to be women porters," echoes Inca Trail guide Edson Lucana Mejía
He explains that it has historically been common for male porters to sleep in the dining tent
which doesn't have a floor and is often muddy
you can be sure that more porters have a decent place to sleep
who has been guiding treks on the Inca Trail for 20 years offers other recommendations
"Look for photos of porters with ergonomic backpacks and for reviews that mention something about how porters are treated," he says
"If a company is sustainable and treats the porters well
Many operators still require porters to carry heavy canvas tents
ask how much their camping equipment weighs and if they have lightweight options
Carrión says travellers should ask if porters are required to wear their employer's uniforms
While it may be a small detail in some cultures
traditional Quechua clothing is an important part of their identity
Despite allegations of mistreatment by certain Inca Trail operators
many guides and porters not only feel fulfilled
but also fortunate to work in such a stunning natural setting
"I love this work" says Quispe Flores
"I like the mountains and working with my friends
Working in agriculture is harder and doesn't pay."
While it isn't always easy to determine which companies follow the law and which don't
Lucana Mejía has one message he wishes the many thousands of travellers hoping to hike the fabled route will remember: "Without porters
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A special History Hit deep dive into the fascinating world of the Inca
Dan Snow travels high into the Peruvian Andes to explore how they thrived in their high altitude empire
a vast road network and harnessing the resources of the mountains
We investigate the imposing ancient stone buildings of Cusco and climb the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Dan and expert interviewees reveal the latest thinking on Inca religion
and the reasons for their rapid rise and fall
over two episodes filmed in the spectacular Inca heartlands of Peru
to get up close with this magnificent empire and its extraordinary story
You can discover more about the history of the Inca and Machu Picchu on Dan's podcast Dan Snow's History Hit: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1o7rUCbIq1iUmTTKlxVReV?si=856d33e60a4f4919
He journeys along Inca roads through the Andes to Machu Picchu where he finds out how this extraordinary city operated and its favoured location in the heart of a sacred landscape of mountains
Death: This episode begins with an extraordinary discovery - an ‘ice-mummy’
found on a frozen volcano summit in the 1990s
With very special access at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum
Dan comes face to face with this 13-year old victim and investigates the remarkable..
TrendingResidentialSouth FloridaAResi roundup: Inca Kola heiress buys Key Biscayne home for $14MDeals ranged in price from $9.3M to $13.8M
520 Intracoastal Drive and 156 Seagate Drive (Getty
Listen to this article00:001xKey PointsAI Generated.✨This summary is reviewed by TRD Staff
In the latest roundup of residential deals in South Florida
real estate and health industries bought and sold luxury homes
Deals spanned Key Biscayne to Palm Beach and ranged in price from $9.3 million to $13.8 million
In Key Biscayne
the widow of a Swedish hamburger mogul sold a waterfront home to a Peruvian soda heiress for $13.8 million
Records show Malin Bergfors sold the house at 660 South Mashta Drive to Golden Heights LLC
a Delaware entity registered to Jenny Katherine Lindley Suarez
Suarez is a scion of Peru’s Lindley family
nicknamed “the Golden Kola,” is widely considered Peru’s favorite soda
which was at one point Sweden’s largest burger chain
Today it has more than 150 stores globally
He bought the Key Biscayne home for $1.5 million in 1998
It hit the market for $22 million last year
Kathy Green with Coldwell Banker Realty had the listing
and Giulietta Ulloa with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty brought the buyer
In Fort Lauderdale
a businessman bought a waterfront home for $9.3 million
and Colleen Hruska bought the house at 520 Intracoastal Drive from Joe R
Jones bought the house for $7.9 million in 2022
It was built on 0.4 acres in 2017 and spans 5,600 square feet
a pool and 110 feet of waterfront along the Intracoastal Waterway
Andrew Ziffer with Compass had the listing and represented the buyer
In Palm Beach
an Ohio developer bought a non-waterfront home for $13.3 million
$2 million less than its last sale price two years ago
Records show Michael DeAscentis II bought the house at 156 Seagate Road from Seagate Retreat LLC
a Florida entity managed by local attorney Alison Percy
His firm builds multifamily communities across the U.S.
Seagate Retreat bought the 156 Seagate Road for $15.3 million in 2023
It spans 3,600 square feet and includes four bedrooms
It hit the market for $16.8 million last year
Margit Brandt with Premier Estate Properties had the listing
and Gary Pohrer with Douglas Elliman brought the buyer
#AndinaEnglish Peru has advantages to increase its exports to the world??https://t.co/uMSa0VbuHH pic.twitter.com/qhIXNbK3kX
A team of archaeologists has discovered an ancient labyrinthine system of tunnels hidden beneath the Peruvian city of Cusco
a former Inca stronghold nestled in the Andes mountains
stretches over 1,750 metres at a depth of up to 2.5 metres
and is evidence of Cusco’s centrality to the Inca Empire
the largest nexus of power in Pre-Columbian America
The Kingdom of Cusco was founded as a small city-state in the early 13th century by the Incas
who eventually incorporated vast swaths of South America during the empire’s zenith in the late 1400s
In a press conference held at the Provincial Municipality of Cusco, the lead archaeologists Jorge Calero Flores and Mildred Fernandez Palomino detailed the breadth of the Chinkana
which reaches from Cusco’s Temple of the Sun towards a citadel on the city’s outskirts known as Sacsayhuamán
The system has three branches—one leads to Callispuquio
the second runs behind the Church of San Cristóbal
and the third stretches through the Muyucmarca sector of Sacsayhuamán
The existence of these branches suggests that the underground network may have linked various ceremonial and administrative sites within the ancient Inca capital
revealing that the underground Chinkana was untouched when Cusco’s landmark Church of the Society of Jesus was constructed in the 1570s
The Chinkana beneath Cusco Association of Archaeologists of Peru
By cross-referencing historical accounts, researchers were able to find the Chinkana’s entrance in Cusco’s Rodadero sector, where it creeps along the side of the city’s geological formations through an esplanade before descending towards the Choquechaca River. The route then continues beneath the Incan Colcampata Palace, eventually straightening towards the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo.
The discovery of the Chinkana emphasises the cultural importance of Cusco, adding another gem to the Inca archeological wealth still present in the Andes. Research is expected to continue this year with a variety of targeted excavations throughout the city.
Cusco and an Inca road network as requested by Unesco
news22 May 2019Opposition flares as Peru’s government makes way for airport near Machu PicchuA petition has been launched to prevent the Peruvian government from continuing the project
news3 August 2021Machu Picchu may be decades older than previously thoughtRadiocarbon dating of human bones and teeth in Peruvian ruins indicate that the Inca first lived at the citadel around 1420
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IFLScience HomeHuge Ancient Inca Underground Labyrinth Discovered Beneath Cusco
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FacebookemailBenjamin holds a Master's degree in anthropology from University College London and has worked in the fields of neuroscience research and mental health treatment.
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Researchers hope to enter the tunnels in the coming months
Image credit: SL-Photography/Shutterstock.com
After centuries of rumor and speculation, archaeologists have finally confirmed the existence of a colossal underground tunnel system beneath the Peruvian city of Cusco. Built by the ancient Inca
the labyrinth – or Chincana – radiates outwards from the Temple of the Sun
extending for more than a mile towards a fortress on the edge of the city
The discovery was announced at a press conference during which researchers explained how they located the subterranean passages in three stages
The first of these involved studying historical texts from the 16th to 18th centuries in search of references to the Chincana and its whereabouts
Among the most enlightening accounts was one written by an anonymous Spanish Jesuit in 1594
who explained that the main tunnel ran beneath the bishop’s houses behind Cusco Cathedral
The same text indicated that the passageway began at the Temple of the Sun – or Coricancha – and ended at the citadel of Sacsahuaman
ⓘ IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites
Speaking to reporters at a press conference
archaeologist Jorge Calero Flores explained that these centuries-old documents “gave us an idea of where [the Chincana] is.”
The second phase of the investigation saw the researchers conduct acoustic prospecting
essentially banging on the ground and listening for areas of deeper resonance
indicating the presence of hollow chambers
the team made use of ground-penetrating radar to more accurately map out the tunnel system
they were able to identify the main stretch of tunnel connecting Coricancha to Sacsahuaman as well as three smaller branches
One of these bifurcations extends towards an area of Sacsahuaman known as Muyucmarca
while another reaches a place called Callispuquio
and the third runs behind the Church of San Cristóbal
Previous investigations have hinted at the presence of an underground network of tunnels built by the Inca
While archaeologists are yet to set foot inside this subterranean maze
the researchers believe that the Inca constructed the Chincana by digging a trench that was later fortified with stone walls and carefully worked roof beams
It’s likely that these sunken passages followed the exact layout of Cusco’s streets and above-ground walkways
which were built directly on top of the tunnels
Exactly what the Chincana was used for remains something of a mystery
although archaeologist Mildred Fernández Palomino told reporters that she and her team plan to access the tunnels and find out in the near future
“Now we have to excavate at key points to be able to enter the Chincana – perhaps in March or April,” she said
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is enough of a challenge at seven miles long
Hiking the Inca Trail isn’t a trek you want to — or even can — do alone
the Peruvian government has required that anyone on the historic path
a route of pilgrimage to Machu Picchu used by the Inca (or Emperor) in the 15th century
be accompanied by a licensed guide to protect the heritage site from the unsafe and destructive effects of overcrowding
300 go to the diligent porters and guides who haul heavy loads packed with water
helping travelers like me make our way along the winding
it’s not unusual for the coveted passes to sell out months in advance
also offer adventures geared specifically toward female tourists
an accomplished Abercrombie & Kent tour guide who led the first group for the Inca Trail Women’s Project
she has completed the four-day Inca Trail 500 times and can speed through the one-day route in a mere two hours
who celebrates the progress Peru is making in gender equality
“I finished my studies very young and thought that no one would trust me because of my appearance — young
“That’s why I tripled my effort; I wanted to prove to myself I could make it
I never liked the idea of someone being faster than me in my mountains
Guiding the women from the Village of the Flowers on their first trip to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu was very important to me because I identify with them
This program helps reduce the machismo idea that only men have the right to work
It teaches everyone to raise awareness that there should be mutual respect between men and women.”
When I ask the Quechua porters — Cintia Amalia Chaucca Ramos
Sonia Quispe Quispe and Emilda Ramos Sallo — what they most want travelers to take away from this experience
the answer is clear: that women are every bit as strong as men
But they also wish to share their community’s customs
“[I hope people will] learn about our traditional clothing
our Quechua language [and] our dances,” says Ramos
Before the big climb, we do just that while exploring their homeland in the Sacred Valley’s Ccor Ccor District
this fertile farmland remains a stronghold of Quechua culture
the women demonstrate how their ancestors have used textiles like alpaca and vicuña wool (a rare and impossibly soft raw fiber far exceeding the price of cashmere) to create fine yet hardy clothing for centuries
we enjoy a joyous warm-up hike accompanied by local musicians along the terraced hills
stopping for a surprise picnic of fruit and coca tea — an herbal remedy that’s popularly used for altitude sickness
a local shaman reads our fortunes in the drink’s soggy leaves
partially obscured by the cloud forest that settles over us at this high altitude
the women tell me about medicinal plants and native birds
We peer intently at the sky for a glimpse of the Andean condor
a rare species and the largest bird of prey in the world
and the long journey to Machu Picchu is definitely worth it
Peering at the citadel through the Sun Gate
at sunset is a privilege earned by those who walk in the footsteps of the Incas
I understand why Espinoza has embarked on this journey countless times
“I am happy believing that time has not passed
I know that it is not me who will decide to stop trekking the Inca Trail
I will continue to take the opportunity and won’t let it go.”
Read this article as it appears in the magazine.
The Government of Peru announced in January a 60-day State of Emergency for 20 regions throughout Peru
due to the danger and damage caused by heavy rainfall
may suddenly close and stay closed for indefinite periods of time
Travel may be affected throughout the rainy season
Local authorities in Cusco also announced the closure of the Inca Trail for the month of February
This is an annual closure related to weather and trail maintenance
Individuals living in or traveling through areas prone to flooding are urged to take preventive actions
reconsider crossing through standing bodies of water of unknown depth
and be attentive to the recommendations of local authorities
Travelers should take into account this increased danger in making their plans
Prior to traveling to tourist destinations in remote regions, travelers are advised to check with iPeru (a Peruvian service to support travelers) ahead of time to determine whether attractions are open
Monitor information from local media and government agencies
Regions identified under the State of Emergency declaration include Amazonas
Have an evacuation plan that does not rely on U.S
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FILMS / REVIEWS Peru / Spain
by Alfonso Rivera
29/04/2025 - César Zelada and Dirk Hampel’s animated adventure flick is a sprightly offering that
brings Peru’s ancient culture that much closer to family audiences
With a screenplay by Brian Cleveland – who has allowed himself a certain amount of poetic licence in including the presence of Spanish invaders in the action
for example – and set amidst spectacular scenery taking in the Amazon rainforest
and Peruvian tourist attractions such as Machu Picchu and the photogenic Vinicunca
La guerrera del Imperio Inca is a movie that
following in the footsteps of US animation
thanks to a strategy of stringing together various scenes in which events continue to unfold at an unrelenting pace
serving to help our heroine (in much the same vein as the epic flicks Pocahontas
which was helmed by the same team as this movie) achieve her personal objective of becoming a messenger – a role that
comradeship and punishment for betrayal with the expanding reach of Inca culture
the heroine (or should that be “superheroine”
must conceal her identity and her femininity in order to make her dream come true in a sexist and discriminatory society
appealing to the empathy of the youngest viewers
she is accompanied by a likeable and cunning pet
in this case a guinea pig native to the Andes
worth highlighting are the exaggerated and rugged features of the adults
while the colour palette harks back directly to the hues used in Incan civilisation
Numerous ideas and concepts from this culture are conveyed
the messengers alluded to by the title of the film
who delivered the orders of the emperor – in the form of flamboyant quipus: a set of strings made of wool or cotton woven together – to the remotest corners of the territory that he ruled over
With the added involvement of singer Renata Flores
crooning the feature’s main theme in Quechua
the movie emerges as an easy form of entertainment that’s a joy to watch
it is still well-paced and portrays adventures that are spectacular and predictable in equal measure
Kayara. La mensajera del Imperio Inca is a production staged by Peruvian outfit Tunche Films and Spain’s B-Water Animation Studios
Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox
César Zelada and Dirk Hampel’s animated adventure flick is a sprightly offering that, while allowing itself some poetic licence, brings Peru’s ancient culture that much closer to family audiences
29/04/2025 | Films | Reviews | Peru/Spain
02/05/2025goEast 2025
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30/04/2025Films / Reviews – Italy
Review: San Damiano
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Review: Storia di una notte
29/04/2025Hot Docs 2025
Review: Supernatural
22/04/2025Films / Reviews – France/Israel/Hungary/Belgium
Review: Mariana’s Room
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Cannes 2025 Marché du Film
AFCI runs its second annual Global Film Commission Network Summit at Marché du Film
Festivals / Awards Czech Republic
Czech Republic’s Anifilm goes sci-fi
Distribution / Releases / Exhibitors Europe
European Arthouse Cinema Day set to return on 23 November
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Indie Sales presents a three-star line-up at Cannes
HOFF 2025
The Shadow and U Are the Universe win at Estonia’s Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival
Crossing Europe 2025 Awards
The New Year That Never Came and The Flats crowned at Crossing Europe
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Be For Films to sell Love Me Tender in Cannes
Cannes 2025/Sponsored
Latvia set to shine bright at Cannes, led by Sergei Loznitsa’s competition entry Two Prosecutors
Las Palmas 2025 MECAS/Awards
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Shooting begins on Walter Fasano’s Nino, a portrait of scoring maestro Nino Rota
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Market TrendsFOCUSA busy spring festival season awaits the European film industry. Cineuropa will continue to keep its readers up to date with the latest news and market insights, covering the buzziest events, including Cannes, Kraków, Karlovy Vary, Tribeca, Hot Docs, Annecy, Brussels, Munich and many others
Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 02/05/2025Slovak crime-thriller Černák becomes the highest-grossing film in domestic cinemasThe second film in the saga about a local mafia boss, directed by Jakub Króner, outgrossed its first part, which dominated Slovak cinemas last year
Animation – 30/04/2025Mirko Goran Marijanac • Media sales executive, DeAPlaneta EntertainmentDuring our chat, the exec shared key insights from this year’s Cartoon Next and touched on the current climate for the animation sector
Jaśmina Wójcik • Director of King Matt the First
The Polish director discusses her approach to taking on a 1920s children’s literary classic in an unexpected way
Želimir Žilnik • Director of Eighty Plus
The Serbian director discusses his deep suspicion of ideologies in relation to his irresistibly charming latest feature, which follows a man whose life spans three political systems
Paulina Jaroszewicz • Distribution and marketing manager, New Horizons Association
Cineuropa sat down with the Polish distributor to discuss her company’s strategy as well as the connection between its distribution line-up and BNP Paribas New Horizons Festival’s programme
Lorcan Finnegan • Director of The Surfer
The Irish filmmaker discusses his mystery-thriller, how he created the character with Nicolas Cage and his approach to the use of colours in the film
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Kyle Marini is a Barra Dissertation Fellow in Art and Material Culture at at The McNeil Center for Early American Studies at Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences
candidate in Art History at Penn State University
His dissertation concerns the production and ritual use of textiles by the Inca empire
It pivots on an enormous rope sculpture that was annually processed in the foremost Inca solstice ritual and served as the imperial portrait of an Inca emperor
He is developing an interdisciplinary methodology to recover the destroyed rope’s construction
and visual impact across media to illuminate Inca modes of artistic representation
I read through all of the chronicles about the Incas in search of a textile-related topic and came across accounts of a massive
900-foot rope that has not been commensurately emphasized in scholarly literature
likely because it was destroyed,” says Marini
“This got me interested in this object and inspired me to undertake interdisciplinary training in Quechua linguistics
and laser detection and ranging (lidar) to piece together disparate evidence of comparable ropes in museum collections and ethnohistoric sources that relate other media that the rope visually influenced
these methods help me to conceive of the larger rope's period viewership to recover its cultural importance and dissemination throughout the Andes.”
Marini highlights the the biggest challenges facing the field of early American studies
“I think the integration of traditionally separate fields and disciplines is a challenge that early American studies is now responding to,” he says
“Since the ‘early Americas’ can encompass essentially the entire Western hemisphere (if it is so perceived)
many fields circumscribed to certain geographies due to the colonization of European powers in that region are acquiring much more porous boundaries.”
Read more at The McNeil Center for Early American Studies
the ambitious Dakar Greenbelt project seeks to create an extensive network of ecological infrastructure in and around the city to sustainably address environmental concerns and enhance urban life
With support from David Gouverneur and Ellen Neises
candidate Rob Levinthal in the Weitzman School of Design led two courses that included a field trip to Dakar
that culminated in students presenting their visions for parts of the Greenbelt
The new Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology boasts adaptable laboratory spaces to support the dynamic needs of pioneering research
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Archaeologists are exploring the sacred landscapes where the Incas once walked during their Capacocha rituals
This ancient sacrificial ceremony involved offering children to the gods on top of high mountains and volcanoes
New studies are looking at the pathways that lead to these sacred sites
which are rest stations built along the way to aid pilgrims on their arduous journey
The Capacocha ritual stood out as one of the most significant ceremonies in the Inca Empire
People performed it to appease the gods and ensure prosperity
The Incas selected both boys and girls from noble families for these sacrifices
seeing this as a great honor and a means of securing political favor for their families
the children were ceremonially paraded around four grand statues
the children began a lengthy pilgrimage to remote shrines known as huacas
A recent study published in the journal Antiquity has provided new insights into the tambos along these pilgrimage paths
It focused on the Chachani volcanic group and the dormant Pichu Pichu volcano in southern Peru
The research team used satellite mapping and photogrammetric imaging to examine the spatial arrangement of these structures
Their findings show a hierarchical organization reflecting the social divisions among the pilgrims
The tambos were found to be divided into two distinct sections: a larger
lower-altitude area with several buildings and a smaller
higher-altitude section with fewer structures
the lower tambo had 14 buildings around a central courtyard
which served as a gathering place for large groups of travelers
the higher tambo had just one building beside a large rock marking the final stop before the summit
The Incas built small shelters along the way to give pilgrims a place to rest
and some of these shelters still stand today
where the lower tambo had eight buildings around a kancha
while the upper tambo consisted of a three-room structure located next to a rock shaped like the volcano
The spatial organization of these tambos suggests that they were designed to accommodate pilgrims from different social statuses
The researchers think the lower tambos likely served as communal gathering points
while the upper tambos were reserved for smaller
One crucial aspect of the Capacocha ritual involved divination
Oracles played a vital role in Inca society
Their prophecies influenced major religious
such as those from chronicler Hernández Príncipe
indicate that the oracle of the Capacocha mummy Tanta Carhua was located below the hill where the mummy was buried
might have been used in ritual liquid ceremonies linked to divination
These ceremonies invoked the power of the mountain deities to ensure water and fertility
They also want to find other places related to Capacocha rituals to study architectural patterns and the Inca state’s management of these religious ceremonies
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INCA Renewable Technologies (INCA Renewtech
Canada) announces that it has been approved for a $202,534 grant from Alberta Innovates Agri-food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program to complete development of the company’s novel hemp-based biocomposites and conduct line trials at Toyota (Saline
U.S.) and other automotive Tier 1 suppliers
The funding is part of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to expand support of agricultural products for food as well as feedstock for industry
“This funding from Alberta Innovates will enable us to refine hemp fiber at the Innotech Alberta laboratory
to produce several thousand pounds of INCA BioPlastics and then conduct full-scale line trials of our products with Toyota and a number of other automotive customers,” says David Saltman
“By replacing glass fiber-reinforced plastics with natural fiber composites we will enable our industrial partners to produce stronger and lighter products
Our customers will also be able to reduce costs by recycling trim waste and produce recyclable end products. That means reducing landfill waste for communities and sequestering carbon.”
INCA plans to vertically integrate composites manufacturing in North America, hoping to be operational by Q2 2026
will purchase hemp biomass from farmers growing the cultivar for plant-based protein
refine this renewable resource and produce advanced composites for the automotive and other industries. This will also act as secondary income for farmers and will help make hemp one of the most profitable cash crops in the Canadian Prairie
thus expanding use of the hemp cultivar.
“INCA’s injection- and extrusion-grade pellets not only promise enhanced physical properties in finished products but also significantly improve CO2-equivalent emissions,” adds Scott Oppliger
principal engineer at Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Engineering
“The shift toward environmentally friendly materials is crucial in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprints and mitigate climate change.”
Source (All Images) | INCA Renewable Technologies
INCA Renewable Technologies (INCA Renewtech
Driving Forces
Inca Cares Foundation sponsored by Inca Kola & Continental Food & Beverage host a Charity Golf Outing and evening awards reception honoring the career achievements and philanthropic endeavors of Hispanics in Sports & Entertainment
This year Net Proceeds from the event will support Inca Cares Foundation College scholarships for Medical fields
Humanitarian Aid Mission and the New Orleans Jazz Museum
Title Sponsor for Charity Golf Outing – or- SHSE Awards Reception House of Blues
Presenting Sponsor for Game week 2 Events SHSE
SPONSOR A STUDENT Your donation will enable me to join the Humanitarian Aid Mission giving me an incredible experience that will affect me in my career for the rest of my life
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Any band that released its first album in 1983 and is still putting music out is a band to take notice of
So is any band described as “The Hulme Cramps.” Or any band that recorded four sessions for BBC’s legendary John Peel show in many years
Any band whose music echoes with that same rockabilly menace that made The Gun Club so great to behold is always going to be on my ones-to-watch list
Inca Babies tick all those boxes…and many more
Although the first chapter of the Inca Babies story may have been a short
and shockingly creative episode half a lifetime ago
which began with their reformation in 2007
heading into the liminal spaces between genres
exploring those dark reams found in the cracks in the musical landscape
those almost vacant points on the Venn Diagram
is that they are not trying to reinvent themselves
this band embraces the sound they are known for
“Insect Symphony” is music made in the vein of bands like MC5 and The Stooges
with incendiary riffs and explosive salvos powered by relentless depth-charge bass runs
“The Exhaust of Broken Dreams” is a sort of gothic-soul meets darkwave disco vibe
and “Spacewalk” shows you exactly why they are compared to bands like The Cramps
There is even room for a reworking of their live favorite “Opium Den,” now
thanks to the skills of producer Simon “Ding” Archer suitably retitled “Opium Dub” for obvious reasons
a band that isn’t trying to reinvent itself to gain a different
younger crowd (though that isn’t to say that they won’t attract them anyway) a band whose music echoes everything I loved about 80’s music while never once sounding like they are resting on their laurels
renowned for their vast empire and sophisticated culture
controlled their expansive territory through a strategic combination of military dominance and religious authority
Central to their rituals was the use of ceramics
which not only served practical purposes but also embodied their ideological and imperial values
a poignant and solemn act of child sacrifice performed on mountain peaks
stands out as a testament to their religious devotion and imperial control
Sylwia Siemianowska of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IAE PAN) has extensively studied these ceremonies
she catalogues Inca ceramics discovered alongside child sacrifices on Peru’s Misti and Ampato volcanoes
involved the sacrifice of children aged 6 to 13
who were considered divine messengers carrying offerings and prayers to the gods
Siemianowska explains that ceramic vessels played a vital role in Inca burial and ritual practices
These vessels were not mere objects but symbols of the empire’s religious and political ideologies
Found alongside sacrificial remains on Misti and Ampato
and the iconic Inca aryballos—amphorae used to store ceremonial chicha
a fermented maize drink central to many Inca rituals
“It is a kind of gift for a deity,” she noted in an interview with PAP
the Inca would drink chicha from one cup and offer it to the Sun from another
symbolizing a connection between the mortal and divine realms
including a six-year-old boy and two girls
These artifacts now reside in the Museo Santuarios Andinos in Arequipa
The ceramics are adorned with geometric patterns
and zigzags painted with mineral pigments after firing
some on Ampato appeared to have been deliberately broken
a ritual act thought to seal the sacred space
The Incas’ use of ceramics extended beyond practical functions
These objects served as powerful symbols of Inca imperialism
symbolized belonging to a specific social group
and marked norms and customs,” explained Dr
were crafted exclusively for ceremonial purposes and lacked utilitarian functions
One unique aspect was the use of well-sealed vessels for substitute offerings
where materials like llama blood and powdered Spondylus shell were mixed and ceremonially offered to volcanoes
“Since we cannot reach the center of the volcano directly
we make a symbolic offering through a vessel filled with gifts,” noted Dr
These discoveries illuminate the intricate connections between Inca religion
showcasing the central role of ceramics in sustaining their empire
Sources: PAP
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Published: Jan 25, 2025written by Kristen Jancuk
MA Latin American & Hemispheric Studies
Five hundred years after the Spanish conquest
the original inhabitants of Tawantinsuyu are still alive in the form of awe-inspiring temples
and fortresses that have stood the test of time
thanks to the Inca’s innovative architectural and engineering skills
These six sites in modern-day Peru showcase the ingenuity and meticulous work that helped the Inca build the largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas
Machu Picchu tops every list of must-see sites in the former Inca Empire
and for good reason—there’s no better place to be completely enchanted by the Inca’s mastery of stone masonry
their coexistence with their natural environment
and their relationship with their gods and spirits
Most modern scholars believe Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Sapa Inca Pachucuti in the mid-15th century—and was actually called Huayna Picchu by the Inca themselves
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983
had crumbled and have since been reconstructed
but its larger buildings and temples showcasing the Inca’s expert stone masonry remained intact
a rock sculpture researchers believe the Inca used for astronomical purposes
It aligns perfectly with the sun on solstices and likely had spiritual significance as well
Sacsayhuamán served as a base for Sapa Inca Manco Capac as he fought to regain control
A particularly unique feature of Sacsayhuamán is the rodadero in Spanish, or suchuna in Quechua, both words meaning “slide.” A natural rock formation incorporated into the site
these grooved and polished rock slides are zipped along by tourists today—and according to Garcilaso de la Vega
they were used by the Inca Empire’s children for the same purpose 500 years ago
The site also hosts the annual Inti Raymi festival
a reenactment of the Inca’s winter solstice celebration
and an adjoining garden full of gold animal statues
Most of the stone was dismantled and repurposed for new Spanish constructions
and the Convent of Santo Domingo was built on top of what was left
showcases the Inca’s impeccable stonework and provides a unique
the massive stone blocks that now serve as the foundation of the convent can be observed—they have remained standing for centuries
while the convent on top has had to be rebuilt multiple times after earthquakes
several original rooms remain and have been turned into a museum featuring many relics found during excavations at the site
visitors can appreciate some of the unique elements of Inca architecture
including the trapezoidal doorways and niches that were a common feature
likely used to display the golden decorations the Spanish so coveted
the Sapa Inca built a personal estate and began constructing a temple complex
Ollantaytambo acted as an important stronghold for Manco Capac
amassed a large army and fought back against the Spanish advance
employing a clever tactic to flood the plain below and mire the Spanish horses in mud
Nestled between towering mountain peaks much like Machu Picchu
the Ollantaytambo complex features the Inca’s reinforced terraces and a mix of both finished and unfinished structures
providing a unique look at the processes undertaken to build such sites
A number of carved stone blocks are scattered around the base
others intricately carved into precise shapes
suggesting further construction was underway when the site was abandoned
A climb to the top of the steep terraces reveals the incomplete Temple of the Sun and perhaps the most well-known feature of the site
Enormous stone blocks standing over twelve feet tall are fitted precisely together
with no indication of how the Inca managed to get them up there
and also gives visitors a peek at the famous qullqas
storehouses built into the sides of the mountains
which once appeared all over the empire along the Qhapaq Nan
Raqch’i, located about 70 miles from Cusco, was occupied by pre-Inca cultures, including the Wari, before being taken over by the Inca. The god Viracocha, a creator god worshiped by a number of pre-Inca cultures, was said to have performed a miracle here
the last true Sapa Inca who ruled just prior to the Spanish conquest
saw the shrine and heard the story of the god’s miracle
he decided a more impressive dedication was needed and began the construction of a temple
as well as housing for religious figures similar to priests and nuns (called mamacona and yanacona)
draw a sharp contrast to other important Inca sites in the use of both stone blocks and adobe
Precision-shaped stones form a sturdy base for the adobe bricks
with both sections of the wall featuring the Inca’s distinct trapezoidal doors and windows
The remains of cylindrical columns that once supported the temple
The height of the wall is particularly noteworthy because the majority of Inca constructions were only one story—this height may have made it one of the tallest buildings in the empire
Other structural remains in the area include round qullqas
noteworthy because they are not made in the traditional Inca shape or style
Researchers suggest they may have remained from an earlier culture and perhaps even been restored and repurposed by the Inca when the temple project began
What can be seen so far—by those willing to make the multi-day trek
as there is no road or rail access—includes temples
a flattened hilltop ringed with stones that likely served as a ceremonial center
The materials used differ from those at Machu Picchu
What was available in the area was a more fragile rock that could not be shaped into the large stone blocks seen elsewhere in the empire
as this style of rock art was unique to them at the time period
A white quartzite stone was used for this rock art
making them not only stand out but also reflect the morning sun
shining back at the Inca’s most important god
Kristen received her MA in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies from George Washington University
and a BA in Spanish and International Relations from Bucknell University
Kristen began working on international drug policy for the Organization of American States
She is certified for Spanish-to-English translation by the American Translators Association
specializing in translating national and international policy as well as academic content focused on the Latin American region
One of her greatest and most impractical ambitions is to learn Quechua
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(TSXV: INCA.H) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") provides the following general update on its CCAA proceedings and proposed new gold loan financing
the Company announced the receipt of a notice of default from OCIM Precious Metals ("OCIM") related to a missed gold loan payment
The Company was unsuccessful in its negotiations with OCIM to find an amicable solution to settle the outstanding debt that would have been in the best interests of all its stakeholders
Inca One sought and obtained an order for creditor protection (the "Initial Order") from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "SCBC") pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA")
The CCAA process allowed for the board of directors of the Company to remain in place and for management to maintain its responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Company
under the general oversight of a court appointed monitor
The CCAA process provides protection to the Company from creditors
the Company is committed to taking all steps necessary to protect and preserve the value of its business
property and the interests of all stakeholders in both Canada and Peru
Inca One agreed to terms for a US$25M Gold Loan facility (the "Gold Loan" or "Debenture") that will be presented by Westmount Capital ("Westmount")
Westmount is a Public and Investor Relations company based in Geneva
Westmount coordinates European roadshows for Canadian listed micro-cap companies with high growth potential
They have developed a strong network of qualified wealth investors
Family Offices and decision makers in Europe
"Our top priority at this moment is working with our advisors at Westmount Capital (westmountcapital.com) to secure the necessary financing for the US$25M Gold Loan," stated Edward Kelly
With the completion of this funding arrangement the Company's debts will be restructured and Inca One will be substantially funded
We will immediately restart operations once the funds are in place
and get back to creating value for stakeholders
the SCBC further extended the Stay Period under a Second ARIO until October 7
allowing the Company the necessary time to complete the Gold Loan
The proceeds of the Gold Loan will be an important part of a Plan of Arrangement that will restructure the Company's financial obligations to its creditors and fund the future operations and inventory of the Company
the Company's common shares have been suspended from trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and its secondary stock exchanges (the "OTCQB") in the United States and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (the ("FSE") in Europe and will remain suspended pending clarification of company affairs
After the Company emerges from creditor protection and completes its application for relisting
its common shares are anticipated to be re-instated for trading on the TSXV
Since the Company was forced to enter CCAA
Management and the Board of Directors have taken all the necessary steps to reduce costs and accordingly have placed both plants on care and maintenance
The restart of operations is expected once the Company emerges from CCAA proceedings
Inca One believes it will emerge from this restructuring process financially stable and ready to take advantage of the continued strengthening gold price and precious metals environment
Edward KellyPresident and CEOInca One Gold Corp
For More Information Contact:Konstantine Tsakumisktsakumis@incaone.com604-568-4877
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This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation
events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future
forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans"
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With layered flavors and colors that vividly portray nature
such as the Ahi Poke Ceviche topped with a swirl of emerald green seaweed
the menu offerings at Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine symbolize both the gourmet cuisine of the nation of Peru and the artistry of chefs Carlos and Magaly
such as the Ahi Poke ceviche topped with a swirl of emerald green seaweed
to create a gastronomic experience that gives your taste buds a vacation from the norm
Having loved ceviche since first trying it years ago
I found that Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine’s current six options to choose from are all so unique and beautiful
one might have difficulty choosing their favorite
the Mango habanero was my ceviche of choice
with its ahi tuna marinated in their own special sauce
topped with emerald green seaweed — it’s so hard to decide
With 3 new colorful ceviche’s to be added to the menu
there is so much to look forward to — one doesn’t have to decide on a favorite — they can enjoy them all
when I first heard “Mango habanero,” I was pretty apprehensive
causing me to avoid anything that includes that word
It was a delightful surprise to find that the mango was not overly sweet and the habanero didn’t overpower
It is a mystery as to how they balance the flavors of those two ingredients
and I found that questioning didn’t give anything away — the chef has his secrets
who have honed their creative cookery working with restaurants for a combined 37 years
look at traditional Peruvian recipes and incorporate their own artistic flair into the dishes
much like a storyteller who can take an oft-told tale and make it their own
who also greets people and handles the not-so-glamorous side of the business
work wherever they are needed and do a fabulous job helping guests feel as if they are part of the family
Peru is located on the Pacific Ocean and was influenced by Spain
who use meat and particularly fish as a large part of the cuisine
many choices on the menu at Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine involve seafood
there are some vegan and vegetarian choices
A number of items on the menu are seasonal
a warm purple corn pudding with warmed rice pudding
The purple corn pudding is sweet with a hint of tart balanced by the creamy rice pudding
The story of Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine is also a tale of the beauty of family and what it takes to work through the difficulties and challenges of running a business
When Oscar and his family opened the restaurant in 2021
the pandemic added an extra layer of challenges to whatever difficulties would be normally be faced when creating a successful restaurant business
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine is a must-go for anyone who loves to eat and appreciates freshness
You won’t be disappointed — and you just might become addicted
You can call the restaurant at 707-861-9057. They are located at 799 Gravenstein Hwy S. in Sebastopol, CA, 95472. You can also order through DoorDash or incasrestaurant.net
Brazil with help from a $4 million government grant
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced a partnership to build a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell production center at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) as part of its mission to bring life-saving treatments to children around the world
The facility will be used to manufacture CAR-T cell therapies for patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)
nonprofit organization that was the first pediatric hospital in the US
The hospital says that since 2017, it has treated more than 500 children using CAR-T therapies, which is more than any other pediatric hospital in the world. It is particularly famous for the story of Emily Whitehead
who was the first pediatric patient to receive a CAR-T therapy at the hospital in 2012
in her case for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
BioProcess Insider spoke with Kadauke about his laboratory at CHOP, which produces cellular therapies such as CAR-T cells. “Any kid that comes to CHOP [and] needs a bone marrow transplant or CAR-T cell therapy ultimately comes [through] us.”
Technicians under Martin Bonamino, the head of the CAR-T program at INCA, have trained for the new facility by shadowing Kadauke’s team at CBTL during a manufacturing run. The organization has since performed its first engineering run under supervision from CHOP. “We're in the middle of confirming all of the product testing and so forth,” Kadauke said.
With its current funding, the new facility is equipped to treat about 30 children. “Since this is a government-funded program, we anticipate that if early results demonstrate safety and efficacy, additional funding mechanisms will allow us to scale and treat more patients.”
Kadauke credited the existence of the grant with Brazil’s public health care system, which he said provides healthcare to 60% of the country's population. Such a system incentivized the creation of the cell-therapy production site to enable patients to receive a therapy that would otherwise be too expensive. In Brazil, Kadauke said, citizens can sue the government for treatments they can’t afford. “A judge will rule in your favor and order the government to pay the price for the therapy.”
Fortunately, INCA already has much of the infrastructure in place to bring CAR-T labs to Rio. CHOP and INCA are utilizing cord blood banks that have fallen into disuse due to the decreasing demand for cord blood transplants. “This creates a unique opportunity to repurpose these cleanrooms for small-footprint, closed-system CAR-T manufacturing,” Kadauke said. “This approach allows us to leverage existing infrastructure rather than building from scratch.”
Beyond its work in Brazil, CHOP is committed to expanding access to advanced therapies around the globe. According to Kadauke, the organization has recently partnered with Sidra Medicine in Qatar “to perform their first pediatric stem cell collection for a bone marrow transplant.”
“We’re actively involved in bringing novel therapies, including those for sickle cell disease, to underserved regions. These efforts often involve partnerships like the one with INCA, where we combine expertise to build local capacity and infrastructure.”
Josh moved to BioProcess Insider in July 2024 after joining the Informa team in 2022 as an editor for BioProcess International. He received his degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and is therefore obligated to say "Go Ducks," even though he kind of feels sorry for the state rival Beavers and wishes they would win more than once a decade.
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Tunnels mentioned historical accounts in in the sixteenth century
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After centuries of speculation, archaeologists in Peru have confirmed the existence of an underground tunnel network, thought to have been built by the Incas
The groundbreaking discovery was found over a mile of the network of streets, underneath the historic city of Cusco near Machu Picchu.
According to the Association of Archaeologists of Peru, the “chincana” - meaning labyrinth in Quechua- connect the city’s Temple of the Sun to the ancient Sacsayhuaman fortress.
Archaeologists Jorge Calero and Mildred Fernandez told a press conference that three further branches of the tunnels were detected, with each leading to different areas across the city. At its deepest point, the Chincana tunnel is said to be around 8.2 feet in depth.
The search for the tunnels began after historical accounts written in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries mentioned them
One account written by a Spanish priest in 1594 stated that a main tunnel began at the temple and travelled under the bishop’s house behind Cusco Cathedral, and ended at the citadel of Sacsahuaman.
Researchers used sound testing and a radar to identify the tunnels’ location and reveal that the walls, likely constructed with stone and roofed with carved beams, 1.4 to 2.5 metres beneath the streets.
Mr Palomino said: “Now we have to excavate at key points to be able to enter the Chincana—perhaps in March or April.”
Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Millions of tourists visit each year, with many basing themselves in the city before beginning their journey to one of the seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu.
Under Inca rule, Cusco was developed into a complex urban centre with distinct religious and administrative functions.
It is renowned for its architectural and cultural heritage and was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production.
When the Spanish conquered the city in the 16th century, the urban structure of the Inca imperial city of Cuzco was preserved and temples, monasteries and manor houses were built over the Inca city.
The latest discovery of the tunnels highlights the advanced nature of Inca civilisation as the tunnels likely served as a communication system across the city.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
many Andean peoples used an object called a "khipu" (also spelled "quipu" and pronounced "key-poo") to record and communicate information
Khipus were made with cords or strings with knots tied into them
of these knots were used to represent numbers
In a new study published today
I make a numeric connection between two important khipus from history – the first being being the largest khipu ever known and the other one of the most complex
While khipus were used in earlier times, they were especially important to the Inca Empire, which lasted from around 1438 CE to 1532 CE (when the empire was conquered by the Spanish)
Since the Inca did not leave any written records
khipus are understood to have been their main system of communication and record-keeping
Khipus were commonly made from either cotton or fibers sourced from camelids (the group of animals that includes camels
These materials could be dyed or left naturally colored
It seems specially-trained khipu makers ("khipukamayuqs") made very deliberate decisions when constructing these record-keeping tools
These decisions related to the colours used
the direction of spin and ply of the cord fibres
the spacing and type of the cord attachments
and the structure and position of the knots
Early Spanish chroniclers wrote about the khipu's various numeric applications
which included recording storehouse inventories
population censuses and tax and tribute obligations
For more than a century, researchers have been studying khipu features in hopes that patterns may emerge from a collective view. In recent decades their data have been digitised, which is now freely available via the Open Khipu Repository and the Khipu Field Guide
For my research, I analyzed the data from two khipus found in northern Chile and first recorded by ethno-mathematician Marcia Ascher and anthropologist Robert Ascher in the 1970s
I noticed both khipus used red/white "divider" cords to separate groups of either tens or sevens
The larger khipu was divided into ten groups
The smaller khipu was divided into seven groups
with each group having ten cords (and many subsidiary cords)
I realised the smaller and more complex khipu is a summary and reallocation of the information in the larger khipu
This is the most complicated numeric connection between khipus made to date
It was only possible because of the availability of data and digital tools that make searching for patterns easier – and which wouldn't have been available to Marcia Ascher back in the 1970s
While the numbers in these two khipus are counting and allocating something
Why would it be necessary to have two khipus recording the same information in two different ways
Perhaps the larger khipu recorded the collection of different amounts of food crops from the community
while the other recorded how these foods were distributed between those in need
Both ways of looking at the numbers would have been important to the people who used these khipus
Experts believe only a tiny fraction of the khipus made throughout history have survived
This is partly because the institutions that used them eventually either became obsolete or used other means of recording after the conquest
combined with a climate that was less than ideal for textile preservation
residing mainly in collections in the Americas and Europe
Fewer than half of these have had their features digitally saved in research databases
Karen Thompson, Research Data Specialist, The University of Melbourne
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
a short distance north of the modern Peruvian city of Trujillo
The ancient capital is known for its elaborate mud-brick architecture that once formed one of the largest adobe cities in the world.Cueva said the remains had been "disturbed" and showed signs of violent death
adding they were located in a part of the city that does not have the common characteristics of a cemetery.The discovery was made as part of an excavation that began in April and which aims to restore the perimeter walls of a palace complex.The Chimu flourished along the coastal plains of northern Peru
in addition to their use of highly productive terrace agriculture and long-distance trade networks along the Pacific coast.They were subjugated by the Inca in the late 1400s
several decades before Spanish invaders conquered the Inca in 1532.Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Edwina Gibbs
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Tunic | ©Dumbarton Oaks
With stitches as dense as an iPad’s pixels
this woven tunic represents the pinnacle of Inca artistry
The brutal Spanish conquest and the unforgiving march of time have destroyed most Inca textiles
but the tunic now at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington
Although its symbols captivate visitors and scholars alike
much is left to be learned about the garment
purchased the tunic for his personal collection
so its acquisition history is not well documented
the tunic attracted scholarly attention as researchers attempted to decode its symbols
which they believed comprised a written language
despite evidence that the Incas did not write
now an associate curator at the Art Institute of Chicago and author of The Royal Inca Tunic: A Biography of an Andean Masterpiece (Princeton)
and learned that this tunic symbolized power
The only weavers allowed to make these symbols (tocapus) were employed by the state
and the Inca emperor redistributed clothes with tocapus to his allies
“They were sort of like a state-controlled fashion statement,” he says
Only the emperor himself could don a garment with all of these tocapus—a way of telling his subjects
Hamilton in effect reverse-engineered the garment’s creation
he noticed that one side was more intricate and precise than the other
suggesting that the tunic was created by a pair of female weavers: a student and a master
He also observed needle holes around the edges
evidence of an unfinished zigzag embroidered edge
“There are very few moments in history,” he says
that a tunic “of this stature [could be] left unfinished.” The materials and designs are consistent with pre-contact Inca tunics: it does not employ silk brought by Spanish traders
he estimates the tunic most likely dates to the period of Spanish conquest
Following the destruction of the Inca empire
the tunic continued to be worn; the garment was twice torn and repaired
there were very few people who would have had the social standing to…wear a tunic like this,” he continues
Hamilton hopes that people will appreciate this tunic for its artistry and its historical significance
“Art history focuses on named makers,” he notes
“There are fewer opportunities for Indigenous artists to be recognized at the level of Picasso and Velázquez
This is a rare opportunity to…see the identities of two weavers from 500 years ago creating this object.”
The naturally freeze-dried body of a child from 560 years ago – approximately 8 years old – is now considered one of the most important anthropological artifacts in Chile and a testament to the Inca Empire
He was found with his arms crossed around his legs and his head resting on his right shoulder and arm
Researchers believed that he had consumed corn chicha or some other alcoholic or narcotic substance to induce sleep before ancient people placed him in his icy tomb
recent scientific studies have refuted this idea
suggesting that he died instead from head trauma
“We’ve shattered the 70-year-old belief or myth that this child died peacefully,” says Mario Castro
director of the National Museum of Natural History of Chile (MNHN)
This new understanding challenges everything that was known about Capacocha
one of the most important ceremonies of the Tawantinsuyu
in which children and adolescents were offered as a sign of gratitude to Inti
They took place on the highest peaks of the territory — at 17,700 feet above sea level in this case — so that their soul could swiftly ascend to the upper world
from where they would protect their community alongside the gods
it demonstrated the sovereign's influence and dominance
Read More: Does the Grand Civilization of the Inca Empire Still Exist Today?
Treasure hunters discovered the mummy in 1954 and it has since been in the custody of the MNHN
in collaboration with the German Clinic of Santiago de Chile
New CT scans performed on the mummy reveal a blunt object moving from right to left caused injuries to the frontal bone of the skull
The child was likely standing with his head down when struck
The blow is believed to have been skillfully executed
“The chronicles of Spanish priests — who had been in contact with the Inca Empire — described this form of violent death in these offerings
but no evidence had been found,” Castro adds
The child from Cerro El Plomo is the first mummy in the world to be examined using the dermoscopy technique (a non-invasive method to study skin lesions)
carefully conducted by dermatologist Verónica Catalán
determined that the bluish color of the nails and dark spots on the soles of the feet were not due to frostbite
as had been interpreted in 1954 — based solely on physical examination — and in 1983
Radiological studies also showed that the child had ingested "a large volume of food" close to the time of his death
The presence of cocaine was also confirmed
indicating that he chewed coca leaves to combat fatigue
Castro notes that further analysis is needed to determine how long he had consumed this substance
Radiocarbon dating established that the child's death likely occurred around the year 1460
before the arrival of the Spanish in America
This overturns a claim made by a 2011 investigation
which mistakenly asserted that the child suffered from trichinosis
a parasitic disease spread by the consumption of pork
Another line of research now being pursued involves studying the parasites found in the mummy's rectum to determine if he had been infected
Read More: The Aztecs Sacrificed Humans to Repay Gods, and Other Reasons
the boy walked more than 1,250 miles from south-central Peru to his death on Cerro El Plomo — located about 28 miles east of present-day Santiago
This journey explains the thickening of the skin on his feet
An additional fact: the shoes he was wearing at the time of his death showed no signs of wear
Researchers estimated the duration of the journey by studying stable isotopes in the mummy's stomach contents
scientists say that the child had remained in Cusco for two years before beginning the long walk to Santiago
a researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Chile
These analyses involved complete genome sequencing since cold conditions kept the body intact and also preserved the DNA
A review of the boy's genome sequence suggests genetic affinities with present-day populations from the south-central Andes and ancient individuals from northern Chile and the southern highlands of Peru
“This answers one of the most important questions about this ceremony: Did those sacrificed come from Cusco
or from the towns near the high peaks where the Capacocha took place?" Moraga says
Read More: Ancient Mass Child Sacrifice Discovered in Peru May Be World's Largest
Although the quality of the genomic information obtained is extraordinary — 'as if the child had not died,' he notes — it is not yet possible to pinpoint the exact place of origin
More ancient DNA samples from other individuals and more native populations are needed for comparison
as several subregions and periods are poorly represented in South America's genetic record
limiting the scope of a more comprehensive analysis
Castro knew that the findings could offend certain communities and feared sensational headlines in the local media
He believed it was crucial to emphasize that the Capacocha sacrifices must be understood within an anthropological and cultural context that cannot be judged by today’s standards
“I am not going to lose respect for the native peoples
This was an ancient tradition,” Castro says
“Understanding the true cause of death of the child from Cerro El Plomo enhances our knowledge of Inca culture.”
Read More: How the Inca Built Machu Picchu
Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles
and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards
Review the sources used below for this article:
National Museum of Natural History. Child of El Plomo Hill: a witness of the Inca past
JAAD Case Reports. Paleodermatology: Dermatoscopic findings of “Niño del Plomo” an Incan mummy in Chile
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Members of the public regularly get in touch with Charles Stanish
an expert on Andean cultures at the University of California
Stanish received a call from a man in Pittsburgh who had just seen a program claiming that aliens played a large role in the lives of ancient people
He was interested in getting Stanish’s take on a particular Peruvian site purported to be the handiwork of extraterrestrials
“I always try to be nice to people like that,” says Stanish
and I share with them what archaeologists know about the subject.” In this case
the man asked Stanish what he thought about the idea of aliens constructing a strange alignment of pits
known popularly as the “Band of Holes,” in Peru’s Pisco Valley
Though he has worked in the area for more than 30 years
He and his colleague Henry Tantaleán took a look at its coordinates on Google Earth for themselves
and were surprised by satellite imagery showing that the Band of Holes is indeed a highly unusual artificial feature
It seemed to be made up of thousands of small depressions running upslope
“I’d never seen anything like it,” says Stanish
“It really seemed unique.” It was also only 10 miles from Stanish and Tantaleán’s own excavations in the nearby Chincha Valley
they decided to try to understand the curious site
Stanish and Tantaleán speculated as to what the Band of Holes might have been
They reasoned it could have been part of a defensive structure
or might even be a geoglyph in the tradition of the nearby Nazca lines
In searching the archaeological literature
they found that the site had first been documented in 1931 by aerial photographer and geographer Robert Shippee
a few archaeologists had visited and described it as being made up of segments of shallow holes running a mile up a hill known as Monte Sierpe
The consensus seemed to be that the holes were made to store something
Despite the fact that previous generations of archaeologists knew about the site
and no obvious artifacts had been found near the holes
There was no agreement on when it was built or by what culture
Stanish set up his team in the Chincha Valley and then drove with Tantaleán to Monte Sierpe
the row upon row of holes creeping up the slope made for an imposing view
“I’d never seen anything like it in my entire career.” They quickly found a small amount of pottery dating to just before the time the Spanish invaded Peru
There were also other signs it could be an Inca site
“I began to suspect it dated to the Inca period because at the base of the site there are tombs similar to those in the Chincha Valley that date to the time of the Incas,” says Tantaleán
A survey showed that most of the holes were about three feet across and 20 to 40 inches deep
some dug into artificial mounds of soil and others made up of small rock structures on the surface
None were dug into the hill’s volcanic bedrock
as some who believe in their extraterrestrial origin claim
The archaeologists also noted that the band is divided into several unique groupings
each of which have different patterns of holes
they collected aerial images and created a new
which they estimate is made up of between 5,000 and 6,000 depressions
While others have maintained that the sheer number of holes makes it unlikely that prehistoric people could have constructed it on their own
Stanish calculates that if created all at once
the band could have been completed by a team of 100 workers in a month
A smaller group of 10 workers could have made it in perhaps 300 days
though it’s likely the holes were dug gradually over a long period of time
As impressive a feat as the Band of Holes appears
a well-organized group of people would have had no trouble creating it
Stanish began to think that their initial hunch that it dated to the period when the Inca had conquered the area was right
They found not only the remains of an Inca road nearby
Together with the discovery of Inca-period pottery near the band
these finds seem to suggest that the Band of Holes dates to sometime around the fifteenth century
after the Inca Empire conquered the Chincha people
“but it seemed to fit.” They also felt the holes were once used to store something
Farmers would have brought produce to the colcas as tribute to the Inca state
Urton and his colleagues speculate that each nine-by-nine-inch square in the checkerboard was used to measure the specific amount of tribute owed by each farmer or family
or a “khipu reader,” then recorded the tax on a string
and immediately saw a similarity between the Inkawasi checkerboard and the layout of the Band of Holes
“They had a really good explanation for how these squares would have been used to measure tribute,” says Stanish
“It seemed likely to me that the holes at Monte Sierpe could have been used to measure out tribute as well.”
The rest of the puzzle began to fall into place
Stanish notes that Monte Sierpe is only four miles from Tambo Colorado
a massive fifteenth-century Inca administrative center built above the agriculturally productive Pisco Valley
The Band of Holes is constructed along a road leading from the valley floor to Tambo Colorado
and make sure you have the proper amount of tribute,” says Stanish
He thinks that each individual block of holes might have belonged to a different extended family
that would have been a distinct tax-paying group
“You may have had each social group come up and fill up their block with squash
or any other produce in front of the state’s accountants
who could have been keeping a tally with khipus
The goods could have then been taken to Tambo Colorado
or wherever else the authorities wanted to take them.”
the thousands of holes at the site were dug in order to measure tribute
the Band of Holes might be suggestive of the inner workings of the Inca Empire
the blunt force of the state’s power,” says Urton
“But it was the khipukamayuqs who really established and maintained control over the regions.” Simply being conquered by the Inca didn’t make one a citizen of the empire
And pouring beans and chilies into holes in front of state accountants would have brought the average farmer in the Pisco Valley face to face with the power of the state
“Inca accounting practices were the keys to maintaining control over the empire,” says Urton
“Khipukamayuqs really shaped the world of the Incas’ subjects.”
Stanish points out that as strong as the Inca state was
and its separate regions retained some autonomy
The fact that no exact parallel to the Band of Holes has yet been found may be because administrators in the Pisco Valley devised a local solution to the problem of measuring tribute
“The farther you get from the big Inca centers and Machu Picchu
the more local influences become apparent,” says Stanish
“Monte Sierpe may have satisfied a very local need.”
Stanish hopes to have a graduate student continue research at the Band of Holes
with excavation of carefully selected sections a priority
If the depressions were indeed used to measure produce
they could still hold pollen or even phytoliths
the telltale bits of silica in plant tissue that can allow archaeologists to detect the presence of particular species
Stanish will need to produce hard evidence to convince his fellow scholars
a specialist in Inca architecture at the University of California
Protzen has spent years working at Tambo Colorado
and feels the Band of Holes is not contemporaneous with the massive Inca center
earlier major sites close to Monte Sierpe that could have been associated with it,” says Protzen
He thinks the holes may have been used to store guano
Stanish agrees that his hypothesis needs to be tested
“But we could be on the cusp of a whole new understanding of Inca accounting.” He points out that other sites in the area with unusual alignments that have traditionally been considered religious might also have had roles in administering the tribute system
then we’re going to have to think differently about a lot of sites that have been regarded as strictly ritual,” says Stanish
Should his theory about the site be proved
the Band of Holes will stand as a monument to the idea that for the Inca
death and taxes were the only certain things in life
The researchers who excavated the burials at the Queneto archaeological site in Peru
Archaeologists have found the skeletal remains of four people — two children
a teenager and an adult — at a site in Peru that predates the Incas
Archaeologists have unearthed the skeletal remains of four people who were buried in Peru's Viru Valley about 3,800 years ago
millennia before the Incas flourished in the region
All four individuals were found lying on their sides and appear to face a mountain
which flourished in the Andean region of South America and lasted from about 1200 to the 1530s
The temple containing the burials was built with cobblestone walls that were held together by clay plaster
and pottery fragments have been found at the site
It's possible that the temple had a cult associated with water
Related: 3,000-year-old tomb of shaman who may have mediated 'between spiritual and earthly worlds' found in Peru
Jason Nesbitt
an associate professor of anthropology at Tulane University who is not involved with the excavations
"I am highly impressed by this project and these investigations further demonstrate the importance of this valley during the early second millennium [B.C.]," Nesbitt told Live Science in an email
—5,000-year-old ceremonial temple discovered beneath sand dune in Peru
—Stunning images of the mysterious Nazca Lines in Peru
—8 pre-Inca mummies and artifacts unearthed just beneath the streets of Lima, Peru
there are relatively few burials from this period," Nesbitt said
adding that these four burials "will aid archaeologists in examining social differentiation based on status
Nesbitt noted that he is "also intrigued by the notion that these burials were facing the mountains
Mountains have symbolic significance in Andean cosmology and were also the source of water for irrigation in an otherwise desert landscape."
The team was led by Feren Castillo Luján and Christian González
both archaeologists at the National University of Trujillo
Live Science reached out to the team but did not hear back by the time of publication
Owen JarusSocial Links NavigationLive Science ContributorOwen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past
He has also written for The Independent (UK)
The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP)
Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.
Archaeologists discover hundreds of metal objects up to 3,400 years old on mysterious volcanic hilltop in Hungary
May's full 'Flower Moon' will be a micromoon
Paul Becerra is among the many visitors who have been captivated by the stunning reproduction of artifacts from Southwest China's Sichuan province on display at an exhibition at the Inka Museum in Cuzco
"I have never seen such impressive artifacts before," said Becerra
adding that he was thrilled to discover the similarities between the ancient Shu civilization — a remarkable culture that thrived in the region of present-day Sichuan — and the Inca civilization
titled Light of the Sun: A Dialogue Between Ancient Shu and Inca Civilizations
features 16 replicas and 3D-printed imitations of representative artifacts from the Sanxingdui Museum and the Jinsha Site Museum in Sichuan
along with seven sets of Inca cultural relic items
It opened on Nov 5 and runs through Nov 20
Although the two civilizations thrived thousands of miles apart in different eras with different customs
the ancestors of both regions shared similar spiritual beliefs and common material pursuits
A large number of artifacts made of gold and belonging to the ancient Shu civilization have been unearthed from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha archaeological sites
Many of these cultural treasures are objects of veneration
indicating the practice of sun worship among the ancient Shu people
which was one of the largest in pre-Columbian America
the king was seen as a descendant of the sun god
and gold was used to adorn palaces and make artifacts
The organizers expect the exhibition in Cuzco
which was the ancient capital of the Inca Empire
to further enhance cultural exchanges between the two civilizations
An exhibition on the Inca civilization was held at the Jinsha Site Museum from January to April
and it showcased 168 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums in Peru
deputy director of the Jinsha Site Museum and Chinese curator of the ongoing exhibition in Cuzco
said the replicas of the priceless artifacts from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites include items made of gold
"These items are displayed together with precious artifacts from the Inca civilization
with the aim to enable visitors to appreciate the extraordinary wisdom and creativity of the ancestors of both regions," she said
Wang said the Peru exhibition is using digital technologies such as naked-eye 3D displays to create an interactive viewing experience that allows visitors to feel they are transcending time and space
said he hopes the exhibition will serve as a window into Chinese cultural heritage for the people of Cuzco
and deepen exchanges and mutual understanding between Peru and China
He added that he sees the event as an opportunity to promote long-term exchanges and dialogue between Sichuan and Cuzco
An international academic forum was concurrently held on Nov 6 at the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot of Cuzco
Experts and scholars from China and Peru delivered keynote speeches and held dialogues on topics such as the latest archaeological achievements
experiences in cultural heritage preservation
and the values and characteristics of the ancient Shu and Inca civilizations
The Inka Museum exhibition is guided by China's State Council Information Office
the Ministry of Culture of Peru and the Regional Government of Cuzco
It is organized by the Sichuan Provincial Government Information Office
the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics and the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot of Cuzco
the Hurricane exploration project in north Queensland
contains high-grade gold and gold-antimony prospects
Junior resource company Inca Minerals has entered into a binding bid implementation agreement to acquire Australian exploration company Stunalara Metals through an off-market takeover bid
Stunalara shareholders will receive approximately 300 million fully paid Inca shares priced at $0.006
equating to roughly 22.6% of Inca post-bid
Inca has valued Stunalara at A$1.8m ($1.13m)
Stunalara shareholders will receive 6.45 Inca shares for each Stunalara share held
valuing each Stunalara share at approximately $0.045
The offer is subject to standard conditions
including Inca acquiring at least 90% of all Stunalara shares
Stunalara has 100%-owned exploration projects in Queensland
consists of three granted exploration licences covering 75.65km² in the Hodgkinson Basin
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard
Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis
Stunalara also owns the Mt Read project in Tasmania
It also has several projects in WA with uranium and gold potential including Mulga Rocks
Inca CEO Trevor Benson said: “Having carefully considered a number of acquisition proposals since I was appointed as CEO last year
it became abundantly clear that Stunalara was a standout opportunity
Its high-grade gold and gold-antimony Hurricane Project in NQ [North Queensland] presents a unique opportunity to explore a project with multiple strongly mineralised veins
which have historical workings but have never been drilled
the under-explored Mt Read project in Western Tasmania is located in an area where multiple significant precious and base metal deposits have been discovered
developed and mined over the last 100 years.”
Stunalara has appointed an independent expert to assess the fairness and reasonableness of the offer
given that Inca director Andrew Haythorpe also serves as Stunalara’s director and holds an 18.6% stake
The company has formed an independent board committee to evaluate the proposal
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Bronze head sculptures on display at the new Sanxingdui Museum building in Guanghan, Southwest China's Sichuan Province Photo: VCG
The exhibition hall Photo: Courtesy of Jinsha Site Museum
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Researchers previously thought boy was put to sleep before he was placed in icy tomb
An Incan child from Chile’s Cerro El Plomo ritually sacrificed over 500 years ago and well preserved as a frozen mummy did not die “peacefully” as previously believed
The iconic Plomo Mummy of the eight-year-old found in a sitting position
has been studied for decades by archaeologists since its discovery in 1954
Researchers previously thought that the boy was fed narcotic substances
and put to sleep before being placed in his icy tomb where he succumbed to suffocation
Chile’s National Museum of Natural History says the child was killed around 1460 at a sacrificial ceremony called Qhapaq hucha, or Capacocha, which was likely attended by nobles, priests and officials of the Inca Empire.
Before his death, there are signs that the boy walked more than 2,000km (1,250 miles) from south-central Peru to Cerro El Plomo over several months as seen as marks on his feet, researchers say.
Experts thought his last moments were likely marked by fatigue from the long journey, high altitude, and the ingestion of a narcotic substance before he was placed in a rectangular chamber with a frozen floor inducing hypothermia and death.
A funerary offering was also placed next to the boy, including ceremonial objects, including two figures of camelids – one made of a gold and silver alloy and another made of shell.
Archaeologists suspect such sacrifices were likely ways by which Inca tried to ensure that the best of humanity joined their deities.
But recent research is changing views on how these ritual sacrifices were carried out.
New CT X-ray scans of the Plomo Mummy’s head portion reveal signs of a “skillfully executed” blunt-force trauma to the frontal bone of the boy’s skull.
The trauma appears to have been caused by a blunt object moving from right to left when the child was standing with his head down, researchers from the museum said.
These new findings challenge previously held beliefs about the nature of ritual child sacrifices to the Sun god in the Inca empire, particularly during the harvest month.
Close to his death, the boy also appears to have ingested a “large volume of food” that has remained undigested in his gut.
Genome analysis also confirms his ancestry is from the south central Andes and ancient individuals from northern Chile as well as the southern highlands of Peru.
However, it has not been possible yet to pinpoint his exact origins.
study finds","description":"Researchers previously thought boy was put to sleep before he was placed in icy tomb