The Ministry of Culture document states that two prehispanic movable cultural goods in university custody were entered into Peru's National Registry of Movable Cultural Goods.
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Cultural Heritage
Official and institutional records concerning custody, registration, and documented study of the Nazca tridactyl bodies held by the Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica.
This page separates official registry facts from research-team statements and uses cautious language such as "the document states" and "the registry records."
Source Document Archive
Institutional pronouncement
UNSLG-Ica Pronouncement on the Nazca Tridactyl Bodies
The university pronouncement states that UNSLG-Ica received four desiccated tridactyl bodies on August 1, 2019 for custody, conservation, and scientific study.
Key Points
- The document describes the larger body called Maria as human-sized but with notable anatomical differences, including an elongated skull and three digits on hands and feet.
- It states that the smaller bodies, approximately 60 cm long, show morphology and anatomy that differ from human anatomy, including tridactyl hands and feet.
- It reports imaging and osteological work, including radiographs and tomographies, and states that no rigid or metallic joint-support elements were found.
- It states that metallurgical analysis of a pectoral implant found an alloy of several metals with osmium as the predominant element.
- It notes research obstacles such as the pandemic, limited budget, logistics, technology, and legal interferences.
- It explicitly states that the research team has not claimed the bodies are extraterrestrial and frames them as biological bodies of unknown origin from a scientific perspective.
- The pronouncement concludes that the studied bodies are biologically authentic and do not show signs of having been manipulated or assembled.
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Official government letter
Ministry of Culture Official Letter 000017-2026-DGM-VMPCIC
The Ministry of Culture letter informs UNSLG that two prehispanic movable cultural goods in its custody were registered in the National Registry of Movable Cultural Goods.
Key Points
- The letter identifies two goods classified as mummies, bundles, and skeletal remains with the denomination "mummy."
- The text records registration numbers 402456 and 402657, while the supplied registry sheets include 0000402456 and 0000402457.
- The document states the goods are subject to restrictions, limitations, and obligations under Law No. 28296, the General Law of Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
- It emphasizes public interest, proper conservation, and export limitations, including a prohibition on leaving the country except through legal exceptions and Ministry procedures.
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National movable cultural goods registry
National Registry Sheet 0000402456
The registry records a prehispanic mummified human remain classified as a mummy, with culture and period not determined.
Key Points
- The registry describes a subadult individual of undetermined sex in fetal position with hyperflexed upper and lower limbs.
- Estimated age at death is recorded as 7.5 to 10.5 months.
- CT and X-ray notes include cranial sediment, no visible thoracic or abdominal content, and absence of the right fifth metatarsal and left first metatarsal.
- Length is recorded as 15 cm and the conservation state is regular.
- The cultural value section states that the good has historical, scientific, and social relevance and research potential for prehispanic populations of Peru's southern coast.
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National movable cultural goods registry
National Registry Sheet 0000402457
The registry records a prehispanic mummified human remain classified as a mummy, with culture and period not determined.
Key Points
- The registry describes an adult male individual in fetal position with hyperflexed upper and lower limbs.
- Estimated age at death is recorded as 35 to 50 years.
- CT notes include cerebral sediment, meningeal remnants, pulmonary and diaphragm remnants, fecal remains, vertebral displacement and lesions, dental wear, premortem tooth loss, and greater diploe thickness.
- Width is recorded as 32 cm and the conservation state is regular.
- The cultural value section states that the good has historical, scientific, and social relevance and provides data for studying ancient funerary practices.
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Registry Details
| Field | Registry 0000402456 | Registry 0000402457 |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Prehispanic mummy; type: mummies, bundles, and skeletal remains. | Prehispanic mummy; type: mummies, bundles, and skeletal remains. |
| Individual recorded | Subadult individual, sex undetermined. | Adult male individual. |
| Estimated age at death | 7.5 to 10.5 months. | 35 to 50 years. |
| Position | Fetal position with hyperflexed limbs. | Fetal position with hyperflexed limbs. |
| Imaging notes | CT/X-ray notes record cranial sediment, no visible thoracic or abdominal content, and absent metatarsals. | CT notes record cerebral sediment, meningeal remnants, pulmonary and diaphragm remnants, fecal remains, vertebral lesions, dental wear, and other skeletal findings. |
| Dimensions and condition | Length recorded as 15 cm; conservation state: regular. | Width recorded as 32 cm; conservation state: regular. |
| Location | Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica, Av. De los Maestros, Ica. | Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica, Av. De los Maestros, Ica. |
The summaries above are based on the supplied source documents. They are presented as document summaries, not as independent verification of every scientific or legal claim.