March 31, 2005. Timely through June 1, 2005.
For more information, call 1-800-422-8975, ext. 130. Media photo provided below.

Cortez, Colorado
Mention Peru and the mighty Inca, who left behind magnificent ruins like Machu Picchu and conquered a vast empire, immediately come to mind. However, Peru, with its varied landscapes, was also home to older cultures equally as sophisticated as the Inca. Join Crow Canyon Archaeological Center from September 8–22, 2005 for a fascinating exploration into the world of Life and Death in Ancient Peru.

From lush Amazonian rainforests to snowcapped Andean mountain peaks, to windswept desert coasts, Peru is home to a variety of vast and diverse cultures. Like the Inca, earlier peoples left behind cities, pyramids, aqueducts, mummies, gold artifacts, and magnificent pottery and textiles. The Peruvian people, thriving in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet, can trace their history back more than 10,000 years.

Beginning and ending in Lima, the journey focuses on archaeology, studies of Peruvian mummies, and modern Native cultures. Explore the archaeological sites of the Moche, Sican, Chimu, Chacapoyan and Inca. Visit Machu Picchu, the jewel of the Inca world. Forty-five percent of Peru's population is Indian and live much as their ancient ancestors did centuries ago, farming the land and creating beautiful arts and crafts. Throughout the trip, participants will witness Peru's indigenous cultural heritage thriving in remote villages and crowded markets.

Unique to Crow Canyon's trip is the exploration of northeastern Peru's Chachapoyas area in the "cloud forests" of the western Amazon uplands. Characterized by narrow canyons, lush valleys, and forests drenched in perpetual mist, this seldom-explored area is home to impressive archaeological remains and proud Native people. Recent discoveries of mummies and a great variety of artifacts are providing new insights about the people who thrived in this very difficult environment. Our scholar's extensive work in this area and friendship with the people enable us to examine sites and collections that other tour groups do not get to see.

Two knowledgeable scholars will guide this exploration into Peru. Dr. Sonia Guillen, a native of Peru, a prominent archaeologist, and a leading authority on Peruvian bioarchaeology, is currently the director of the Centro Mallqui of the Bioanthropology Foundation in Peru. One of the foremost experts on mummies in Peru, Sonia has studied mummies in Egypt and Chile and has led numerous excavations of mummies and associated artifacts throughout Peru.

Dr. Alfredo Valencia, a renowned Peruvian archaeologist, has conducted research at Machu Picchu for many years focusing on the Inca's agricultural practices, drainage techniques, and construction methods. He is co-author of The Machu Picchu Guidebook: A Self-Guided Tour. Along with Dr. Guillen and Dr. Valencia, other Peruvian archaeologists and several Native artists will join this exploration to lend their insights into the history and modern ways of life in this fascinating country.

Crow Canyon is a not-for-profit organization offering excavation, workshop, and travel programs in the greater Southwest and throughout the world.

The photo below may be used by the media to accompany this press release. No other use is authorized. Photographer credit and copyright notice is required.

View of Machu Picchu. Photo by Alex Prime. Copyright © 1994 Alex Prime.