The ruins of Kuelap in Peru, the largest fortress in South America, are still a puzzle to archaeologists even today. Photo Credit: ZDF Enterprises
1. Surgery in Antiquity and the 18th Century
A study by the University of Florida claims to have discovered the first ever evidence for ancient bone surgery found in Peru. Two skeletons from the pre-Columbian site of Kuelap Fortress demonstrate pathology similar to trepanation, which is the surgical practice of drilling holes into bones. Read more at Peru This Week.
Watch a clip from Secrets of the Dead: Carthage’s Lost Warriors and learn more about Kuelap, the giant fortress built by Chachapoya.
Secrets of the Dead: Ben Franklin’s Bones discusses some “unpleasant” treatments similar to trepanation, done to patients in the 18th century when medicine wasn’t hugely advanced. Watch full episode and learn more.
2. Yuan Dynasty Murals Discovered Inside Tomb
Archaeologists found 700-year-old, elaborate murals created during the Yuan dynasty in a tomb in Hengshan county, north Shanxi province. Read more at China.org.
3. Raids on Swiss Warehouses Find Looted Antiques from Italy Worth $58M
In Rome, authorities unveiled a record haul of rare antiques illegally looted from Italy and discovered during raids on Swiss warehouses belonging to a Sicilian former art dealer. Read more at AP The Big Story.
4. Corpse of 200-Year-Old Monk Found in Lotus Position
The mummified remains of a meditating monk, covered in animal skin, have been discovered in Songinokhairkhan province of Mongolia. The monk has been sitting in the lotus position for about 200 years. Read more at Discovery News.
5. Chief of Restoration at Egyptian Museum is Transferred After “Botched” Tutankhamun Repair
We covered the story of the broken beard of Tutankhamum last week, and here’s the update. The head of restoration at the state-run Egyptian Museum in Cairo has been transferred to another museum in the wake of the “botched” repair of the 3,000-year-old golden funerary mask of Tutankhamun. Read more at The Art Newspaper.
Watch Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut and find more about the most famous pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history.
Did we miss anything you’ve read or watched? Share Secrets in the News you’ve found this week!