About the Author

Maria Longhena was born in Bologna. She studied ancient history and archeology at the Faculty of Letters at the University of Bologna. Her specialization and graduation thesis theme was etnoarcheology of the pre Columbian civilizations. She has participated in numerous archeological digs, also doing investigative work regarding pre Columbian discoveries for Italian museums as well as international museums. After an investigative phase at the Mus�e de LHomme de Paris, she has been dedicated to scientific investigation and organizing expositions and displays in the American Section of the Mus�e Royaux dArt et dHistorie of Brussels. Maria Longhena has participated in international conferences on pre Columbian civilizations and for quite some time, has collaborated with teaching activities at the University of Bologna. She has published scientific articles in journals and magazines dedicated to the study of ancient cultures in Peru and pre Columbian America. She is especially dedicated to religious aspects and primitive art.