A Case of Foot Amputation from the Wari Imperial Tomb at Castillo de Huarmey, Peru

Archaeological evidence of surgical interventions, such as amputations, is rare but significant. A groundbreaking discovery from the Wari imperial mausoleum at Castillo de Huarmey, Peru, reveals two individuals—one male and one female—with left foot amputations, disarticulated at the ankle joints, predating their deaths. This finding challenges previous associations with the Moche culture by linking such procedures to the Wari and Tiwanaku cultures. The study examines the form of amputation and its possible motivations, suggesting a ritual or religious significance supported by ceremonial artefacts resembling human feet. The research combines osteological analysis with cultural interpretation, providing insight into ancient Andean surgical practices and their societal implications.

Więckowski, W. (2016). A Case of Foot Amputation from the Wari Imperial Tomb at Castillo de Huarmey, Peru. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 26(6), 1058–1066. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2517