The Forgotten Mushrooms of Ancient Peru

Mushrooms were widely used in pre-Hispanic Peru, as shown by images on ceramics, metal objects, and textiles from various cultures spanning approximately 1200–200 BCE to the European conquest. The most abundant and vivid depictions come from Moche/Mochica art. Mushrooms appear associated with high authorities, shamans, and sacrificial victims. Realistic images allowed identification of Calvatia, Morchella, Amanita muscaria, and Psilocybe species. Some could not be identified due to limited knowledge of Peruvian fungi. Identified mushrooms have culinary, medicinal, and spiritual properties. Since Amanita muscaria has not been confirmed in Peru, it may have been traded from farther north or Mesoamerica, where it was deeply embedded in religious cultures.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Evidence is presented to demonstrate extensive use o mushrooms in pre Hispanic Peru. Mushroom imag-es were ound on ceramics, metal objects and textiles rom a range o important cultures rom the north andsouth, as well as coastal and highland Peru. Te objects range in age approximately between 1200-200 BCE tothe time o European conquest. Most abundant, vivid images o mushrooms were ound rom art o the Moche/Mochica culture, although other in cultures mushroom representations were also clear. Mushrooms, (re-alistic or abstract) were associated with what appear to be personalities o high authority, to shamans/curan-deros and sacrificial victims. Realistic images o mushrooms commonly ound associated with shaman likefigures were ofen o high quality and allowed identification o some mushrooms to at least genus level. Identi-fied were Calvatia species, Mochella species, Amanita muscaria and Psilocybe species. Some mushrooms couldnot be identified, because current knowledge o mushrooms o Peru and its neighbors is limited. Te identi-fied mushrooms have various characteristics: Morchella and Calvatia species have both culinary and medicinalproperties. Others, like Amanita muscaria, and Psilocybe species have spiritual as well as medicinal propertiesrather than culinary uses. Since A.muscaria has not been confirmed growing in Peru and its traditional hostsare northern hemisphere trees one hypothesis is that the mushroom were a trade item with countries lyingurther north or Meso America where A.muscaria has been shown to have been deeply engrained into the re-ligious cultures. Te implications and importance o the findings are discussed or understanding o Peruviancultures and the ancient mind and history. Various suggestions are made to advance archaeological researchby integrating better mycological expertise to improve understanding o these remarkable ancient peoples.