title: [Palaeoparasitological analysis of guinea pig mummies of the Chiribaya culture, Moquegua Valley, Peru].
abstract: During several excavations of archeological sites in the Moquegua Valley, Southern Peru, various guinea pig mummies (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) have been discovered. They belong to the Chiribaya Culture (900-1100 AD). The outstanding preservation of the mummified animals gave rise to the idea of a paleoparasitological analysis. In the fur, numerous well preserved ectoparasites (lice, fleas, mites) could be recovered. Generally, ectoparasite remains are rarely found among archeological material. This is the first account of an extensive ectoparasitological analysis of animal mummies in Peru. A modified technique for recovery and preservation of the ectoparasites has been developed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Parasitologie, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig. kd98@email.byu.edu
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dittmar de la Cruz
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ribbeck
authors.forename: Arwid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daugschies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000266:history*; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000469:parasitology*; D049691:History, Medieval; D009106:Mummies / Q000469:parasitology*; D010164:Paleopathology; D010568:Peru; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000469:parasitology