Ceremonial earplug, Mochica culture
Peru is a country with a lot of ancient history, and prior to the Spanish colonies many cultures florished all over the region.
All over the country there were ancient cultures (for example the Mochica, Chimu, Nazca or Paracas) that used their creativity and talents to represent everyday scenes, flora and fauna of their surroundings in textiles, ceramics, stones, jewelry, etc. and used the natural elements around them to create clothing, houses, weapons, etc.
Later on, the incas took over what was left of these old cultures and absorbed not only the geopraphical area, but in a way, also their customs and habits.
I found some pictures of items that I want to share with you. Some of them are representations of birds made by Peruvian cultures in everyday objects, cloths and jewelry and some are items that used feathers of birds, like Nasca or Chimu, who even though were not close to the jungle, used feathers of birds from that region to make hats for their leaders, as the feathers were precious and unique items.
I hope you enjoy these birds from the past, the titles in green are the names of the cultures they belong to.
NAZCA
Feather cape.
PARACAS
Mortuary covers for mummies, Paracas Necropolis style, with representations of the Andean Condor and other birds.
MOCHICA
Earplugs, antropomorphic character with bird beak. Made of gold and turquoise.
Duck vessel.
Huaco-retrato, ceramic portrait representing the head of a character with a bird resting on it.
CHIMU
Ceremonial hat.
INCA
Duck wooden vessel.
What if we compare the maps showing the ancient Peruvian cultures with today's Peruvian birding hotspots???
Map of ancient cultures. Check out Chimu, Mochica (Moche), Nazca and Paracas... all on the coast line (left on this map), away from the Amazon jungle (top right on this map)
Birding interest map nowdays...
See any similarities? I could find a few actual birding points where the ancient cultures florished... Maybe it's just a coincidence, but what if it is not? ;)
