Leandro Rivera stumbled upon a cave in Peru’s remote Nazca region, revealing a trove of pre-Hispanic artifacts. Among these remarkable finds were human bodies with elongated heads and what seemed to be only three fingers on each hand.
The Nazca plateau has gained renown for its captivating Nazca lines, intricate incisions etched into the desert floor, forming shapes of birds and other animals that become visible when viewed from the air. These ancient geoglyphs have held anthropologists in thrall for years and continue to exert a powerful fascination over those who harbor beliefs in extraterrestrial phenomena.
Additionally, the Nazca region is renowned for its salt flats, which serve as natural dehydrators, preserving both human and animal remains. These salt flats have yielded significant archaeological discoveries, enriching our modern understanding of ancient cultures.
However, the area’s historical treasures have also attracted the attention of grave robbers, posing a threat to Peru’s invaluable heritage .
In 2022, Leandro Rivera faced conviction for assault on public monuments due to his excavation of the artifacts. His punishment included a four-year suspended sentence and a fine of approximately 20,000 Peruvian soles (equivalent to $5,190), falling short of the maximum penalty—an eight-year prison term.
However, Rivera’s remarkable discovery gained widespread attention last year when two of the mummies found their way to Mexico. These mummies took center stage during congressional hearings on UFOs and extraterrestrial life.
Mexican journalist Jaime Maussan presented these ancient bodies as evidence of life beyond Earth—a claim that scientists promptly dismissed.
In an interview with Reuters, Leandro Rivera revealed that he extracted approximately 200 sets of remains from the cave. Shockingly, some of these ancient bodies were smuggled out of Peru and found their way to countries like France, Spain, and Russia.
The subsequent display of these mummies in Mexico, coupled with Rivera’s assertion that he possesses dozens more, has raised a critical question: Is Peru losing the fight against the illicit looting of its archaeological sites? The lucrative black market for mummies and other pre-Hispanic artifacts remains a pressing concern for experts and preservationists alike.
According to Christopher Heaney, a Latin American history professor at Penn State University and author of a book on Peruvian mummies, Peru’s efforts to curb this trade have been substantial. However, the recent revelation that objects like the mummies displayed in Mexico could exit the country raises questions about the effectiveness of these government measures.
Peru’s Culture Ministry has not addressed inquiries regarding the efficacy of its anti-trafficking efforts. Government officials, interviewed by Reuters at Lima’s international airport, emphasized the necessity for enhanced penalties, increased resources, and improved coordination to combat looting.
However, independently verifying key aspects of Rivera’s account remains challenging. The culture ministry’s public prosecutor’s office reported that their investigation into Rivera resulted in the discovery of only two altered bodies and two partial sets of bones.
Evelyn Centurion, the head of cultural heritage recovery for the ministry, emphasized the government’s commitment to combatting the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts. A task force, comprising police, the attorney general, the foreign ministry, and other departments, is actively working to strengthen penalties for looting such precious heritage.
Despite these efforts, Centurion candidly acknowledges that the looting persists. She underscores the importance of enhanced collaboration with local governments and authorities to effectively prevent these unlawful acts and safeguard Peru’s invaluable cultural treasures.
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