The person that is based in this article is archaeologist Alva. Alva is a famous for leading one of Peru's most famous archaeological digs, which uncovered the Lords of Sipan tombs in the late 1980's.

Tawantinsuyu:The Inca Empire The Empire of the Incas was the largest state-level societyin the New World prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Their domain spannedover 4,000 km, including all of the highlands and coast of Peru, most of the highlands of Ecuador, northern Chile, part of western Bolivia, andpart of northwestern Argentina.They were an ancient people, but had been subject to the regional powers during the entire history of South American urban cultures. They began to expand their influence in the twelfth century and in the early sixteenth century, they exercised control over more territory than any other people had done in South American history. The empire consisted of over one million individuals, spanning a territory stretching from Ecuador to northern Chile.The Inca Empire was actually quite short-lived, lastingonly about 100 years, from ca.1438AD, when the Inca ruler Pachacuti andhis army began conquering the neighbors of the Inca heartland of Cuzco,until the coming of the Spaniards in 1532. In Quechua, the language of the Incas, the empire wasknown as Tawantinsuyu, which, loosely translated, means "land of thefour quarters." As the name implies, the realm was divided into fourparts, coming together at the capital of Cuzco: Chinchasuyu to the northwest,Condesuyu to the southwest, Antisuyu to the northeast, and Collasuyu tothe southeast. Within the four quarters, the Incas ruled over people whohad formerly composed hundreds of independent societies, representing dozens of different ethnic groups.

The Sican culture is the name archaeologists have given to one of several gold-working people who predated the Inca in what is now Peru between about 900-1300 AD. They are known for their lost-wax gold ornament production, and the production of arsenical copper, which is the closest material to bronze found in prehistoric New World archaeology. The Sican were probably descendants of the Moche, and were involved in long distance trade for emeralds and amber. Other similar groups include Cajamarca, Wari and Pachacamac.

Last month, a team of archaeologists announced that they have unearthed, or uncovered, 22 graves in northern Peru containing pre-Inca artifacts that are described in the other word bubble. The tombs are more than 900 years old. The tombs was up to 33 feet below ground level.

In the graves were pre-Inca artifacts including the first tumi ceremonial knives ever discovered by archaeologist instead of just being taken by thieves. Tumi knives are knives that are more like mini hammers, they are round and arent very pointing. Because of the discovery of the tumi knife in its original setting o learn about the writing it was used. The discovery could help explain the history of ceremonial weapons.

The Inca had three origin myths. In one, Ticei Viracocha of Colina de las Ventanas in Pacaritambo sent forth his four sons and four daughters to establish a village. Along the way, Sinchi Roca was born to Manco and Ocllo, and Sinchi Roca led them to the valley of Cuzco where they founded their new village. There Manco became their leader and became known as Manco Capac. In another origin myth, the sun god Inti ordered Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo to emerge from the depths of Lake Titicaca and found the city of Cuzco. They traveled by means of underground caves until reaching Cuzco where they established Hurin Cuzco, or the first dynasty of the Kingdom of Cuzco. In the last origin myth, an Inca sun god told his wife that he was lonely, so she proposed he create a civilization to worship him and keep him company. He saw this as a wise plan and created the Inca from Lake Cuzco. The Inca populated the Andes and worshiped the sun god and the moon goddess.

The tumi knives origin is pre-incan and is sican culture.

Pachacuti: Red Tupa Inca: Yellow Huayna Capac: Orange

The artifacts, graves, and tumi knives were found next to a pyramid in the Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary, 420 miles northwest of the capital, Lima.

Directions: Next to a pyramid in the Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary, 420 miles northwest of the capital, Lima.

I believe that this is important because this tumi teaches us about civilization's religion, ceremonial weapons, social groups, daily life, language, writing, and even art! This discovery will also explain the history of these ceremonial weapons. That is why this discovery is important.

They dont tell us how come they weren't stolen, but I believe that the reason for the tumi knives not being stolen was because they were they were buried so thieves didnt find it. My second reason is because the graves are next to the pyramids so the thieves suspect that all the riches are in the pyramid. One last reason is that its a grave full of many people so they dont think it is as royal or as rich filled as the pyramid or that there was no riches in the graves. That is why I believe the tumi knives weren't stolen.

I chose this article since I like ancient artifacts and civilizations, especially this one since I dont know much about it and its in a continent I didn't research for school or anything before. Also, I have learned many things such as, what is a tumi knife, what mysteries do the Incas hold, and so much more. That is why i chose this article.