INTENTIONAL CRANIAL DEFORMATION IN THE PRE-COLUMBIAN NASCA CULTURE
Abstract
Presented article, based on the results of the latest archaeological research and the analysis of cataloged objects, provides a multi-faceted characteristic of the phenomenon of intentional and culturally conditioned cranial deformation in the pre- Columbian Nasca culture. In the light of interdisciplinary research and analysis of iconographic motifs we can notice that Nasca folks specifically identified themselves and recognized each other by particular physical attributes. Especially frontal-occipital cranial deformation is a dramatic example of the situational manipulation of ethnic identity. Results obtained in presented paper clearly demonstrate that the deformation methods and its objectives could be widely different, as well as not homogeneous within the southern coast of Peru.References
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