The Miraflores neighborhood of Lima, Peru, has become a hotspot for archaeological discoveries. This week, researchers unearthed two pre-Columbian mummies, estimated to be over a thousand years old, in a pre-Incan cemetery.
“This is one of the most significant finds in more than three decades of excavation,” declared Gladys Paz, an archaeologist working at the site. The intact nature of both mummies, an adult and a child, adds immense value to the discovery.
The unearthing process of the mummies, located within the Huaca Pucllana tomb complex, took several days since the initial signs of the burial site were identified five days prior. The Huaca Pucllana itself is an ancient religious complex, with the Quechua word “huaca” translating to “religious site.” Towering over 66 feet high, the complex offers a glimpse into Lima’s past, with a view of the Pacific Ocean contrasting with the modern concrete buildings.
The intact tomb held not only the mummies but also offerings and the remains of a sacrificed child, according to Paz. This marks only the third such intact find since excavations began at Huaca Pucllana in 1981. The pyramid-like temple, built between 100 and 600 AD, has yielded several significant discoveries over the years, including the tomb of a woman with her four children unearthed in 2010 and the mummy of a teenage girl discovered in 2008.
Currently, the newly discovered mummies remain unopened at the excavation site. A planned transfer to a laboratory within the next four to six months will allow researchers to determine the age and sex of each individual.
The tomb also revealed other artifacts, including seven vessels decorated with feline imagery, used for a traditional matte tea concoction, twelve fabric bags, and the remains of three guinea pigs. The discovery has garnered significant media attention, drawing dozens of journalists eager for a glimpse into this window to the past.
Project director Isabel Flores highlights the vast potential that remains to be explored. “We’ve only investigated around 60 percent of the Huaca Pucllana,” she remarks. Built during the pre-Hispanic Wari culture, this site holds the secrets of Lima’s pre-Inca ancestors, with an estimated 350 huacas scattered throughout the Peruvian capital region, serving as silent reminders amidst the modern cityscape.
The discovery of these well-preserved mummies and accompanying artifacts promises to shed new light on the lives, rituals, and culture of the people who inhabited Lima long before the rise of the Inca empire. As excavations continue, Huaca Pucllana offers an exciting glimpse into the rich tapestry of Lima’s pre-Columbian past.