Archaeologists in Peru have unearthed a 1,000-year-old mummy at an archaeological site in the capital city, Lima.
The excavation site of the ancient mummy, nearly 1,000 years old in Peru. (Source: Reuters).
On September 6, lead archaeologist Mirella Ganoza stated to the press that the mummy was discovered at the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site in the bustling Miraflores district of Lima, along with several artifacts such as ceramic pots and woven textiles.
Ms. Ganoza mentioned that the mummy was placed in a relatively shallow burial chamber, alongside significant items: two ceramic pots and a piece of fabric covering metal objects. Notably, the hair and teeth of the mummy were found to be remarkably intact. The mummy, with long brown hair, indicates the sophisticated and meticulous embalming process of the Ychsma culture, although its gender remains a mystery.
This civilization thrived along the central coast of modern-day Peru before the rise of the Inca Empire in the region.
Previously, at the Huaca Pucllana site, archaeologists had discovered numerous mummies and ceremonial offerings, leading them to believe that many valuable scientific artifacts remain to be excavated.
At that time, the Ychsma people in this area are believed to have constructed at least 16 pyramids and dominated the central coast of Peru until the rise of the Inca Empire.
The archaeological site itself dates back to around 500 AD and is located in the heart of Miraflores.
Peru is home to many pre-Columbian cultures that flourished for centuries before the Inca Empire dominated the coastal regions and the Andes Mountains.
According to experts, the capital city of Lima, with a population of about 10 million people, has approximately 400 archaeological sites scattered throughout residential areas.
Huaca Pucllana, a historical site with adobe brick walls, contains many secrets of three cultures: Lima, Wari, and finally Ychsma. This area underwent three periods of habitation in the era before the Spanish colonization.
|