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Foot amputation by the Moche of ancient Peru

Osteological evidence and archaeological context

Bibliographic Data

ID12371354
AuthorsJohn W Verano (0000-0002-0263-5611, National Audubon Society, corresponding author), Laurel S Anderson (Tulane University), R gulo Franco, R�gulo Franco
Year2000
Volume10
Issue3
Pages177-188
Publication date2000-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/1099-1212(200005/06)10:3<177::aid-oa520>3.0.co;2-o
OpenAlexW2091937970
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited9

Three probable cases of foot amputation, with healing, in skeletal remains associated with the Moche culture (AD 100–750) of northern coastal Peru are described. Each case exhibits non-functional tibio-talar joints with proliferative bone occupying the normal joint space. The robusticity of the tibiae and fibulae suggest renewed weight-bearing and mobility following recovery. The osteological evidence is consistent with details shown in Moche ceramic depictions of footless individuals. A footless Moche skeleton with wooden prostheses, described in 1913 by Peruvian physician Vélez López, appears to represent a fourth example of this procedure. The Moche surgical approach was similar to a technique that would be pioneered in western medicine by the Scottish surgeon Sir James Syme some 1500 years later. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Amputation · Archaeology · Art · Context (archaeology · Fibula · Foot (prosody · Geography · Osteology · Skeleton (computer programming · Tibia · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation · Musicians’ Health and Performance · Anatomy · Surgery

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Unique citing works16
Citations per year0,7
Citation span2003 - 2025 (23)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 8
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