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If you thought mummies came only from Egypt, this news story will astound you. Actually, it ought to astound anyone because it’s so. freakin’. cool:
Hands over her eyes and her face gripped with terror, the woman’s fear of death is all too obvious.
The remarkable mummy was found in a hidden burial vault in the Amazon. It is at least 600 years old and has survived thanks to the embalming skills of her tribe, the Chachapoyas or cloud warriors.
Eleven further mummies were recovered from the massive cave complex 82ft down. The vault - which was also used for worship - was chanced upon three months ago by a farmer working at the edge of northern Peru’s rainforest. He tipped off scientists who uncovered ceramics, textiles and wall paintings.
The Chachapoyas were a tall, fairhaired, light-skinned race that some researchers believe may have come from Europe. Little is known about them except that they were one of the more advanced ancient civilisations in the area. Adept at fighting, they commanded a large kingdom from the year 800 to 1500 that stretched across the Andes.
Now, on a completely different note: Who, without Googling, can identify a popular kiddie-lit character who was also from “deepest, darkest Peru?”
Maybe she just didn’t want her picture taken.
posted by Sheldon Siegel on 1-11-2007 at 3:23 pm
Wouldn’t that be Paddington the Bear?
posted by Jane Martin on 1-11-2007 at 3:25 pm
Is the kid from deepest, darkest Peru, Diego, Dora’s cousin?
posted by Raymond Nakamura on 1-11-2007 at 3:48 pm
Wasn’t that Dolph Lundgren? (I know, I spelt that wrong ;)
posted by Marika on 1-11-2007 at 4:13 pm
is it the kid from the jungle book? Mogli? (I know it’s spelled wrong)
posted by hana on 1-11-2007 at 4:30 pm
Paddington Bear was from “darkest Peru”, but I don’t recall there being a “deepest” modifier…
posted by abby n on 1-11-2007 at 4:36 pm
That would in fact be Paddington Bear, of all people. Er, animals. Jane wins the customary virtual high five from Jason…
posted by Mary on 1-11-2007 at 4:59 pm
whats that character??? Im peruvian and haven“t seen that cartoon (it was that?).
posted by Tatiana on 1-12-2007 at 10:36 am
Paddington Bear, baby!
posted by Rachel on 1-12-2007 at 2:13 pm
Paddington Bear. Red hat, blue overcoat, really cute.
posted by Shann on 1-12-2007 at 2:19 pm
There was just a special about these bears on the Discovery or Nature channel. It said that spectacle bears were the only bears native to South America and that Paddington Bear was based on these. The website is a link to a picture of one, but the t.v. special is definately worth checking out.
posted by doug. on 1-18-2007 at 10:05 am