Human and feline trophy heads excavated near Toro Muerto, Arequipa
Excavations by Proyecto Arqueológico Uraca (the Lower Majes Valley Archaeological Project) report uncovering 12 human trophy heads and one feline trophy head at the site of Uraca, near the town of Corire. The site is a badly looted cemetery, located close to Toro Muerto, the immense petroglyph field in Corire. Uraca’s artifacts are typical of Middle Horizon sites (around 600 – 1100 AD) in coastal Arequipa.
Among the finds from the 2014-2015 field seasons were 12 human heads that were decapitated, skinned, and drilled with perforation for toggled carrying cords.
Along with the human trophy heads, excavators uncovered a cat head that received the same treatment; the posterior skull was broken off, and the eyes were removed and stuffed with bright red textiles. Read more.