Mummy hair reveals ancient Peruvians enjoyed seafood and beer

The hair of some natural mummies buried about 2,000 years ago in southern Peru appears to have been nicely coiffed prior to burial, with decorated textiles holding it in place. Archaeologists have used scientific methods to test the hair of these people’s remains to see what they ate in the weeks and months before their death.

The textiles holding the mummies’ hair and other textiles from Paracas have been studied a lot, but analysis of the isotopes in the hair to determine diet is new. Beautiful textiles from these people are in museums around the world.