Nasca iron ore mine discovered in Peru: 30-01-2008
An archaeologist has spoken of his joy at excavating an intact ancient iron ore mine in Peru.
Kevin Vaughn, an assistant professor of anthropology who studies the Nasca civilisation, found a hematite mine - the only one of its kind recorded in South America before the Spanish conquest.
The Purdue University archaeologist took a team on field trips to the Ingenio Valley of the Andes Mountains in southern Peru between 2004 and 2007.
Their findings are published in last month's Journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.
Corncobs, stone tools, textiles and pottery were among the artifacts discovered in the mine, which is estimated to be 200 years old.
Vaughn believes the Nasca people used the iron primarily for ceramic paints, but they also could have used it as body paint, textiles and even to paint adobe walls.
The excavation was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Heinz Foundation, according to reports from AScribe.
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