Ancient Link Between Chinese And Peruvian Civilizations?

Peru’s leading newspaper El Comercio ran a story a few days ago about the possible link between the ancient Shang Dynasty of China (1600 BC – 1046 BC) and Peru’s ancient Chavin civilization, which emerged around 1000 BC.

The piece focused on Chinese archaeologist is Tang Jigen, who wants to use DNA testing to put his theory to the test.

“We have reached the point where it is necessary to do scientific studies. I propose to compare DNA from remains of the Shang dynasty with Chavin or later cultures,” Jigen told El Comercio. “We can send samples to laboratories in the U.S. or Canada. Only with these tests can we validate a shared past.”

Jigen bases his theory, in part, on legends about the collapse of the Shang Dynasty. It is said that the dynasty’s ruler, Prince Yin, left China and headed east with his army. He also points to similarities in iconography of Shang artifacts and those of the Chavin and the later Mochica, Nazca and Paracas cultures.

Surprisingly, Jigen is quoted saying there isn’t other hard evidence of intercontinental contact between ancient Chinese and South American societies. 

Hasn’t he done the tour of the Larco Museum in Lima?

The Moche were among the most accomplished ceramic workers of the ancient world, meticulously documenting in highly realistic fired-clay sculptures and portraits their customs, religion, their people and their way of life.

Here are a couple of examples from the Larco Museum’s permanent collection that arguably support Jigen’s theory:

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