New Discoveries May Change Everything

Teaching Pre-Columbian Art this Fall will be very challenging and exciting, that's for sure. There have been significant discoveries in Mesoamerica and South America that will require some revamping of current lecture notes and excite the imagination of students new to the subject. The changes affect sites well known, like Teotihuacan, and sites not yet widely known, like the one just discovered in northern Peru.

Not that many years ago the spectacular discovery of the intact tombs of a great lord, a high priest and priestess on the northern coast of Peru stunned the world with its richness. No one could have imagined finding the intact tomb of a ruler who pre-dated them, yet that indeed has just occurred at a site called Bosque de Pomac. Even more exciting is the possibility of yet more untouched tombs in the nearby riverbed.
.http://enperublog.com/2010/07/18/new-royal-sican-tomb-discovered-in-bosque-de-pomac/

There's lots of buzz about the discovery of a royal Maya king's tomb found by noted Pre-Columbianist Stephen Houston at the site of El Zotz in Guatemala. For the first time in some 1700 years, members of the archaeological team saw the the beautiful treasures within. They estimate that because of the tomb's richness and excellent preservation, they will be studying its contents for years to come.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Archaeologists-Discover-Mayan-Royal-Tomb-147962.shtml

A tunnel with branching chambers may lead directly to the tomb of a ruler of Teotihuacan, city of legend not far from Mexico City. Nearly 50,000 articles of precious materials were found in the tunnel so far, and it will be months before they reach what may be a burial chamber. Since no images or tombs of rulers of Teotihuacan have been found, the discovery will cast welcome light on the social structure of this enigmatic civilization that once numbered about 100,000 people and declined around 750 c.e. During 800 years Teotihuacan developed into the greatest city of its time in Mesoamerica.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent/travel/mexico-finds-tunnel-possible-tombs-under-ruins-839771.html

Last but not least is the discovery of a 4000 year old site in Peru which may upset long-held ideas of a peaceful early Pre-Ceramic period along the northern coast. Sixty miles north of Lima at Bandurria, thought to be one of the oldest settlements in the New World, human remains were discovered that might attest to the start of a religious tradition of human sacrifice that continued throughout Pre-Columbian history there. Some authorities caution, however, that the finds might be secondary burials, so much more work must be done to accurately interpret what has been found.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080604-human-sacrifice_2.html

These recent discoveries show how vibrant the study of Pre-Columbian art and archaeology is at this time, and interest will continue to grow in the Los Angeles area as the L.A. County Museum prepares for the opening of its spectacular Olmec show, Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico, coming in October. To make the event even more interesting the New World Archaeology Council has joined forces with LACMA to co-sponsor a two-day symposium on ancient Olmec culture. Save the dates October 22 - 23, 2010 on your calendars.

Please visit the websites provided to see exciting images of all these finds.