Tomb more than a thousand years old in Peru reveals luxurious life – 05/23/2023 – Science

A group of Peruvian archaeologists has discovered what appears to be a pre-Incan tomb, dating from 1,200 to 1,400 years ago, of an “elite personality” probably dedicated to “marine activities”.

The tomb was found in the Chancay Valley, northeast of Lima, and forms part of what is known as the Matacón Cemetery.

The Chancay culture developed on the central coast of the country, in the valleys of Fortaleza, Pativilca, Supe, Huaura, Chancay, Chillón, Rímac and Lurín.

Archaeologists concluded that the newly discovered tomb, the largest and oldest ever found in the region, must have belonged to a high-ranking person in the community, as her remains were found along with those of five other people — possibly relatives or servants. that were sacrificed, as archaeologist Pieter Van Dalen Luna told EFE news agency.

Also found were 25 containers that contained food and the remains of four llamas.

Archaeologists say more evidence and further analysis of the tomb finds are still needed to get closer to the identity of the tomb’s owner.

An oar was found. As Professor Van Dalen Luna explained to the University of San Marcos broadcaster, this object had not been found in any of the other 80 tombs that had been previously excavated in the cemetery.

“It could have been a person dedicated to maritime activity, suddenly fishing or collecting shellfish,” says Van Dalen.

This pre-Inca culture was part of the so-called Aymara populations. They populated areas of Bolivia, Peru and Chile before the expansion of the Inca empire. Its decline coincided with the expansion of Tahuantinsuyo—which is how the Incas referred to their own culture.

The cemetery is located near a currently occupied residential area.

About 50 meters from the excavation are some houses that may have been key to the tomb not being looted.

“If it is true, on the one hand, (that) the installation of houses occupied part of the archaeological zone, on the other hand it has also allowed looters (of archaeological sites) not to reach here”, said the professor.

He highlighted that resources and support from the authorities are needed to keep this archaeological treasure intact, which can help us better understand how people settled in the Americas in antiquity.

“Why not think that this valley was populated by Aymara populations before the year 0 and the beginning of this era?”, suggests Van Dalen.

This text was originally published here.