A mummy thought to be between 800 and 1,200 years old was discovered by archaeologists in Peru, at a site near the capital Lima.
Researchers from the National University of San Marcos found bodies preserved underground in the center of the town square at the archaeological site of Cajamarquilla, about 25 kilometers from Lima.
The mummy was tied with rope and with his hands covering his face, according to the researchers, is a burial tradition in southern Peru. From an estimated age, this mummy dates back to pre-Hispanic times, even predating the Inca civilization which founded the most famous Machu Picchu fort in Peru in the 19th century. -15.
"This discovery sheds new light on interactions and relationships in pre-Hispanic times," said Pieter Van Dalen Luna, one of the archaeologists who led the excavation.
The mummy is most likely a young man aged 25-30 years who came from the mountains to Cajamarquilla, which was previously a bustling commercial center in the pre-Columbian era.
Excavations began in mid-October with a team of 40 people led by Van Dalen Luna and fellow archaeologist Yomira Huamán Santillan. The discovery was surprising, as they weren't looking for mummies.
"The whole team was very excited because we didn't expect this to happen and we didn't expect to make such an important discovery," said Huaman
Another unexpected find were several marine mollusks outside the mummy tomb, which Van Dalen Luna said was unusual considering Cajamarquilla is about 25 kilometers from the coast.
"After the bodies are buried, there are ongoing events and activities," said Van Dalen Luna.
"That is, their descendants kept coming back for years and placing food and offerings there, including mollusks."
Llama bones were also found outside the tomb, and according to Van Dalen Luna the animal was commonly eaten by people at that time and pieces of llama meat would be offered to the dead.
The discoveries led the researchers to conclude that the mummy was not an ordinary citizen, but possibly an important person in contemporary society.
"The fact of finding a mummy with these features in the center of the square makes it clear that this is someone of high status," said Van Dalen Luna, adding that from other options, the person in question could be a prominent merchant.
The team will now carry out further specialized analyzes including carbon dating, which will allow them to narrow down the time period in which the person lived and more details about their identity.
Several mummies have previously been found in Peru and neighboring Chile, and many are more than 1,000 years old.
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