Cleft lip and palate in the ancient Peru

Authors

  • Emiliano Paico-Vílchez Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego. Trujillo, Perú.
  • Emiliano Paico-Zumaeta Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego. Trujillo, Perú.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20453/ah.v64i2.4018

Abstract

In this article, the authors show the presence of cleft lip-palate among Peruvian aborigines,  as  represented  in  the  ceramics  of  the  Mochicas and  Chimus;  likewise,  the  references  of  the  ancient  chroniclers  that the aborigines had this congenital malformation. The cleft lip-palate is a malformation that was common among Peruvian aborigines. It was considered a sign of possessing supernatural powers; and, the carriers of this malformation were considered intermediaries between the divine and the earthly, so they could act as medicine men or priests.

Published

2021-10-04

How to Cite

Paico-Vílchez, E., & Paico-Zumaeta, E. (2021). Cleft lip and palate in the ancient Peru. Acta Herediana, 64(2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.20453/ah.v64i2.4018