The Inca has revealed a 600-year-old silver llama effigy that was made by the Inca as a "huaca" - a sacred being, site or object revered by their society. The statue was cast from an alloy of silver, gold and copper and added features such as eyes, nostrils, toes and a wry smile. It may also represent the alpaca, a species domesticated by Andean people. The Inca used llamas and alpacas for a variety of purposes, including transporting them long distances and using their meat for medicinal purposes. The close relationship between the Incas and their ancestors can be seen in contemporary cinema.