In Paracas, Peru, researchers have uncovered five sets of human remains, two of which feature unusually elongated skulls—a finding that is unprecedented for the region. Local legends refer to a group known as the “Gentiles,” described as being larger than the native population.
Intentional head shaping of infants to create flattened or elongated skulls was a common practice in various ancient cultures, often linked to elite or high-ranking individuals. Such skull shapes have been discovered across Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and the Americas.
Some contemporary tribes in Africa and Oceania continue to practice skull modification. Despite their varied appearances, these skulls maintain characteristics typical of normal human skulls, including three cranial plates and a brain capacity of about 1200 to 1400 cc.
A significant discovery was made by Peruvian archaeologist Julio Tello in a cemetery in Paracas, in 1928. There where he found unusually large and elongated skulls that exceeded the typical size for modern humans.
Mummified baby elongated skull
Paracas, a desert region in Pisco Province on Peru‘s southern coast, is the site where the skulls are believed to date back between 800 and 2,800 years. A notable discovery in 2015 was a mummified baby’s skull, which exhibited an unusually large cranium.
Experts suggest that this skull may be naturally elongated, as the artificial shaping of a skull typically requires a minimum of six months.
In contrast, the elongated skulls found by Philip J.S. Jones, author of A Peruvian Diary, and local residents in Nazca are smaller than those from Paracas.
It remains uncertain whether the unusual shape of these skulls results from artificial cranial deformation (ACD) or a genetic factor. Importantly, these findings were made in an area where no similar discoveries have been previously recorded.
Possible find of Paracas skulls subspecies in Peru
Philip visited South America in 2008, where his skills led him to build a dormitory in a mountain village, a place he returned to for years.
During one of his visits in 2018, a local friend shared the folk tale “Los Tres Foresteros: The Lost Legend of the Chancas” about a lost race known as the Gentiles, who were said to have been taller than the local tribe and banished underground by the gods.
After watching a documentary on the Paracas skulls, Philip learned of similar skulls in nearby caves. He set off on a challenging hike with a small group but found only human remains without skulls.
Two weeks later, a 15-year-old named Wilder discovered the sought-after elongated skulls in a forgotten tomb.