Posted on 12/10/2009 4:37:14 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Ontario, Canada (AHN) - In the first study of its kind researchers detected the stress hormone cortisol in the hair of ancient Peruvians. The study subjects lived between 550 and 1532 A.D. and like us today stress was a part of their daily lives.
Researchers say cortisol is released into the body including the hair when an individual is stressed due to real or perceived threats.
Emily Webb, a Ph.D. the lead author of the study says, "By studying the lives of people using traditional archaeological methods like surveying and excavation and combining that with new research techniques like sampling ancient hair specimens, we can get a good picture of what life was like and how our ancestors may have responded to life-changing experiences like illness and disease," explains Webb.
The study found that many of the individuals researchers studied displayed high stress levels right before death. However authors of the study said a majority also experienced multiple episodes of stress throughout their final years of their life.
The findings give rise to the similarities between stress then and now and reveal it was very much a part of ancient Peruvian daily lives.
In an odd way the Moche seem nastier than the Aztecs. More comprehensive in the torturing and degrading of their victims.
I agree with you on the man as peaceful animal bit. Those who promote it never seem to think through what would happen to a peaceful culture in contact with a warlike one. Are you familiar with the story of the Maori and Moriori?
Cultures go through evolution just like species, and peaceful ones are by definition not the fittest.
It has been my view that people are peaceful and loving when they have nothing to fear and are well fed. Take those away and we have 1789.
LOLOLOLOL
Just getting here and saw your ping. Read article.
Read comments. Can’t stop laughing.
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