After a long controversy, Yale University in New Haven, CT (USA) will be returning priceless artifacts to Peru that have been in their possession for a century. The artifacts were taken by Yale historian Hiram Bingham on three trips after he rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911. Bingham was backed by the National Geographic Society, and took many crates of artifacts to the United States. The artifacts had been on display in Yale’s Peabody Museum. The Peruvian government argued that the artifacts belong in Peru, and after a dispute Yale has agreed to send them back. The artifacts will be on display for at least a week at the government palace before traveling to a permanent museum location in Peru. Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd said, ”These artifacts do not belong to any government, to any institution, or to any university — they belong to the people of Peru.”

Chrysocolla is an interesting stone that is known for its powerful energies. In Peru, it is referred to as Peruvian Turquoise, because of its blue-green hues, and it is used to make high quality Handcrafted Jewelry. It is said to be a healing and calming stone, and is even used to attract love. Chrysocolla jewelry can be a thoughtful gift for someone who is dealing with stress, illness or depression, due to its purported metaphysical properties. Aside from its deeper meaning, it is also a beautiful stone that often has swirls of different hues running through it. It is only found in a few countries throughout the world, and Chile has one of the highest amounts, which is why the stone is also available in Peru. If you ever travel to Peru, a Chrysocolla Necklace makes a great souvenir.

We recently wrote about the new Potato Park in Cusco, which was established to educate tourists about the importance of potatoes in Peruvian culture and cuisine, and to give them a closer look at the everyday lives of Peruvian farmers. The Potato Park’s other goal is to preserve the amazing array of potatoes that exist in Peru – over 4,000 – by uniting farmers’ efforts. Their newest plan is to send 1,500 samples of different potatoes to the Arctic Circle, thousands of miles away. Why? Because that is the location of the Svalbard International Seed Vault. The vault is in such a cold area that even without generators the contents inside would never defrost. The vault’s purpose is to preserve samples of the most important crops in the world, so that the threat of climate change and other environmental factors will never permanently wipe out a vital food source and weaken the biodiversity of amazing places like Peru.

Some Peruvian foods get their names from the areas they come from, like Papa a la Huancaina, which originated in Huancayo. Causa, the popular molded mashed potato dish that usually features shrimp or chicken salad, gets its name from the time period it was created in. During the War of the Pacific between Peru and Chile in the 1880s, Peruvian women used the abundance of potatoes to make this simple yet satisfying dish for their beloved soldiers. It was their way of showing support “por la causa,” for the cause. Next time you sit down to enjoy the hearty mixture of golden mashed potato puree and creamy shrimp or chicken, you’ll have a story to tell.

Living in Peru has published an article confirming Tunki coffee‘s growing popularity in international markets. Gaston Acurio, Peru’s superstar chef, is serving it in his restaurants in Spain, and consumers in England are also enjoying this organic Peruvian coffee. After one of the farmers from the Cecovasa Cooperative (where Tunki is produced) won Coffee of the Year 2010 at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s annual competition in April, the world has started to recognize Peruvian farmers for their exceptional coffee. The Cecovasa Cooperative unites hundreds of farming families and ensures their coffee is sold using fair trade standards. That means that while coffee lovers enjoy Tunki’s distinct flavor, they can also feel good knowing they are supporting farmers in Peru. Follow the link above to purchase Tunki coffee in the U.S.

Peru is home to a diverse group of plants and animals, with almost every environment on earth existing within its borders. From the desert to the beaches, the rainforest to the mountains, some of the world’s most interesting sights and untouched natural beauty can be found there. A recent New York Times article discussed rare cacao beans found in the forests of Peru. The beans were discovered by a Peruvian man who had little knowledge of cacao at the time, but after submitting them to the United States Department of Agriculture, he found that they are one of the rarest and most expensive varieties. The seeds grow in football shaped pods that hang from trees. These beans are a mixture of purple and white, which is what makes them so special. White cacao beans are rare, and chocolate made from 100% white beans is very expensive. (The white beans turn brown during the roasting process, and are unrelated to white chocolate.) The white beans have no bitter taste, which allows for a very smooth chocolate taste. Experts say white beans are a mutation that results from trees remaining untouched for hundreds of years. These Peruvian beans are now being used exported and used to make chocolate in Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the U.S.

As we start 2011, Living in Peru has posted an article on the most influential Peruvians of 2010. Author, novelist and essayist Mario Vargas Llosa tops the list after accepting the Nobel Prize for Literature in early December. During his acceptance speech, he said, “Let those who doubt that literature not only submerges us in the dream of beauty and happiness but alerts us to every kind of oppression, ask themselves why all regimes determined to control the behavior of citizens from cradle to grave fear it so much they establish systems of censorship to repress it and keep so wary an eye on independent writers. They do this because they know the risk of allowing the imagination to wander free in books, know how seditious fictions become when the reader compares the freedom that makes them possible and is exercised in them with the obscurantism and fear lying in wait in the real world.” Peruvians are very proud of Llosa, who is arguably the most influential Latin American writer in the world.

It’s not too late to give a thoughtful Jewelry Gift from Peru from Tikanchay.com – order by midnight tonight for overnight shipping before Christmas. The Handcrafted Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings in Tikanchay’s Handcrafted Jewelry collection are all made by master artisans in Peru, and every purchase helps to support them and sustain the artisan traditions that are such an important part of Peruvian culture. From traditional Huayruro necklaces featuring good luck charms from the Amazon to this elegant Handcrafted Pink Pearl Necklace, there is something for every woman in this online collection. All designs feature .950 sterling silver. Anyone who appreciates Peruvian culture, or just beautiful artisan designs, will love a gift from Tikanchay this holiday.

If you love potatoes, you may want to take a trip to the new Potato Park on your next trip to Cusco. The area is known for potato farms, and the farmers are now leading hikes, driving tours and even 3-5 day treks through the countryside. Tourists have the opportunity to try a variety of baked potatoes, which all have different tastes, textures and colors. The guides talk about some of the thousands of different kinds of Peruvian potatoes, and the history and folklore of the area. You can try potato pudding at the local Papamanka restaurant, and view impressive textiles made by local artisans. Tourists are encouraged to interact with the farmers and other locals, and to ask questions about agriculture and village life. This sounds like a great new way to get a taste of authentic Peruvian food, history and culture.