Przemoc w przedhiszpańskim Peru

Abstract

Violence in pre-H ispanic Peru Violence as a bio-cultural phenomenon is closely linked to the history of humanity. This phenomenon in the past is reconstructed by archaeologists as well as bioarchaeologists, who study the material remnants of old cultures and their creators. These remnants include burials, characteristic archaeological sites of defensive nature or works of art. An analysis of archaeological finds from the Peruvian Andes — especially the finds associated with the rituals of human sacrifice or warfare — leads to the conclusion that an important characteristic element of many pre-Columbian cultures was a specific kind of violence: ritualised violence. A cross-analysis of bioarchaeological, archaeological and iconographic data makes it possible to provide a more complete interpretation of violent behaviours of societies in the past, societies for which there are no extant historical sources.