Archaeologists excavating an underground tomb in Peru have discovered a mysterious mummy. Researchers from the National University of San Marcos have found a preserved body underground in the center of the city square of the archaeological site of Cajamarsilla, about 25 kilometers from the capital of Lima.
The body of the mummy is in an embryonic position and is tied with ropes, and the hands cover the face.
According to researchers, this is a funeral custom in southern Peru.
According to an initial estimate of the age of the mummy, it dates back to pre-Hispanic times and even predates the Inca civilization, which created the most famous complex in Peru, Machu Picchu, in the 15th century.
“The discovery sheds new light on interactions and relationships in pre-Hispanic times,” said Peter van Dalen Luna, one of the excavation leaders, quoted by CNN.
Mysterious mummy dating back up to 1,200 years is discovered in an underground tomb in Peru https://t.co/jAEJCsDqJ7
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According to him, the mummy most likely belonged to a young man aged 25 to 30 who came from the mountains of Cajamarsilla, a former bustling shopping center in the pre-Columbian era.
Excavation began in mid-October by a 40-man group led by Van Dalen Luna and his colleague Yomira Huaman Santilian, and the discovery came as a surprise as they did not expect to find the mummy.
In addition to the mummy itself, burial utensils were found in the tomb, including stone tools, pottery and food remains.
“When a body is placed in a tomb, there are constant events and actions,” says Van Dalen Luna.
“This means that his descendants continue to return for many years and leave food and offerings there, including shellfish.”
The circumstances surrounding the discovery led the researchers to conclude that he was not an ordinary citizen, but probably an important figure in society at the time.
“The fact that a mummy with such characteristics is in the center of the square shows that this is a person of high status,” said Van Dalen Luna.
The team will conduct additional analysis, including radiocarbon dating, to clarify both the length of time the person lived and more detailed information about their personality.
Several mummies have been found earlier in Peru and neighboring Chile. Many of them are over 1000 years old.