Utility workers recently discovered a mummy that dates back to a time long before the Inca Empire, in Lima, Peru. This find occurred at the beginning of June when the workers were digging a trench.
Experts say the well-preserved female mummy is around 1,000 years old and was located just 20 inches beneath the surface. The Inca Empire existed from 1400 AD to 1533 AD, meaning this individual lived roughly 400 years prior to the rise of the Incas.
Images of the site show the skeleton in a vertical position, still with dark brown hair. These mummies are linked to the Chansei culture, which thrived in Peru from 1000 to 1470.
Jose Aliga, an archaeologist for the utility company Caridda, mentioned the burial is distinctly pre-Hispanic. The area was colonized by Spain in 1535, bringing a significant change to local customs.
Aliga noted, “It is very common to find archaeological sites on Peruvian coasts, including Lima. Mainly the elements of the funeral: graves, burials, and within that, the mummies.”
He added evidence suggested there could be more pre-Hispanic burials in the area. Lima has been inhabited for thousands of years, supported by a valley enriched by three rivers originating from the Andes.
Peter Van Darren, who is the dean at Peru’s University of Archaeologists, stated that encountering remains in Lima is quite typical. The city boasts about 400 archaeological sites, mostly those related to funerary practices.
“It is very common to find archaeological sites on the Peruvian coast, primarily among funeral elements, graves, burials, and among these, among the mummy individuals,” he added.
Van Darren, who wasn’t part of this particular discovery, mentioned many Peruvian mummies are naturally preserved due to the desert climate, with some found seated, hands often covering their faces.
Mummies attract significant interest from archaeologists worldwide, with numerous discoveries and studies happening every year. The rich history of Lima spans thousands of years, providing an incredible backdrop for archaeological exploration.
