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MU professor discovers animal-shaped mounds in Peru

An orca-shaped mound, dated to about 5000 years ago.
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An orca-shaped mound, dated to about 5000 years ago.

MU professor emeritus of anthropology Robert Benfer has discovered rare animal-shaped mounds in Peru. The mounds are three to five thousand years old.

MU’s spokesperson Tim Wall says this research is great contribution for the university.

“This is groundbreaking research by an MU anthropologist," said Wall, "who has found not only some of the oldest structures in the western atmosphere but some of the oldest structures on the planet. These are as old as like the pyramids.”

Robert Benfer says his research will continue to focus on the astronomical and archeological orientations of the mounds. He adds that before this discovery, similar mounds had only been found in the United States.

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