Chinchorro burials had few grave goods. They started to become common about 2000 to 1500 BC with an average of two objects per grave. Some were harpoons made of wood and bone, and others were atlatls to hunt land and sea mammals. Other tools were related to gathering tasks such as sea mammal ribs for prying open shellfish and reed baskets to collect shellfish. Fishing gear was found as well, represented by fishhooks made of cactus needles, fishing lines made of reeds and cotton, stone sinkers, bone and shell hooks (Standen 1997). Other grave goods included bone necklaces, and marine shells or small leather bags with colored pigments, and small vegetal brushes likely used to paint the bodies. In addition, there were bones of pelicans, fish, and marine mammals. Bird skins sewn together with cactus needles and vegetal threads wrapped some of the bodies as funerary shrouds.
Of all grave goods found with Chinchorro mummies, the most common was the harpoon. Interestingly, some individuals have harpoons and lithic points in their hands, as if they were ready to hunt in the afterlife. In contrast, fishing and gathering artifacts were less common. Perhaps this implies that hunting marine mammals was a more prestigious and important activity within these communities.
There were some sex differences in the distribution of the grave goods. Harpoon shafts and tips were common with adult males, and harpoon tips (the detachable part) were common to both adult men and women. In contrast, women had fishing artifacts (hooks and fishing lines). Artifacts for gathering (implements for prying and reed baskets) were common to both sexes of all ages, perhaps reflecting a less dangerous and more routine task undertaken by all Chinchorros.
In addition, reed brushes were commonly found with women. The women likely used the brushes for painting bodies (both living and mummified). Given the sex dis-
Tribution of these tools, perhaps females were in charge of caring for the bodies, such as painting or cleaning them. The other grave goods mentioned appeared randomly distributed.
Another element of personal adornment included headbands of painted red reeds or camelid fiber cords in natural colors wrapped many times around the head. This was common to all ages and both sexes. These headbands also played a role in the intentional deformation of the head, which took a circular shape. This cultural practice started about 2000 BC.
World History
