Scientists find 1,300-year-old mummies in Peru

(EFE Ingles Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) By Paco de Campos.

Lima, Aug 27 (EFE).- Three intact mummies dating from roughly 700 A.D. have been discovered by archaeologists excavating a pre-Columbian pyramid known as Huaca Pucllana.

The head of the team of archaeologists that made the find, Isabel Flores, said it was the first complete tomb discovered since work began some 27 years ago at this sprawling site, which is located in a residential area of this capital and previously had been a city trash dump and a place for riding bicycles, playing soccer and raising pigs.




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The archaeologist recalled with great emotion the moment in which her team realized the treasure they had uncovered and the "impact on archaeologists and workers" produced by the intact mask of one of the mummies, which has been given the name "the lady of the mask."







The artifact "has very firm eyes and they seem very strong," Flores said in describing the giant, fake blue orbs that the Wari people - which predated the Incas - traditionally made from seashells.

The archaeologists carried out their excavation work with enormous respect for the ancient culture, even performing small rites such as offerings of coca leaf and "chicha," a traditional Andean beverage made from corn.

The tomb, discovered during restoration work on the pyramid, contains three embalmed adult bodies bundled in fetal position alongside their trousseau, as well as the remains of a child who was sacrificed as an offering.

These sacrifices of children and young women were "part of their rites and offerings and (were something) normal within their conception of worshiping their gods," Flores said.

Remains from 13 funeral bundles had been discovered at that same site between 1997 and 2001, while the remains of a decapitated mummy were found there in 2005.

But all the other tombs had been looted, Flores said, noting that that such pillaging is a custom that dates back to colonial times, when Spaniards forced Indians to gather and turn over precious metals such as gold.

When nothing was found, as is the case with Huaca Pucllana, they left the tombs in poor condition and information of great interest to archaeologists was lost.

This latest discovery provides further information useful in putting together the history of the Peruvian capital, where finds made at archaeological complexes provide evidence of the different cultures that have held sway down through the centuries.

The Huaca Pucllana is a perfect example: a ceremonial center was found there that was built out of adobe (which here is a mixture of mud and seashells) between 200 A.D. and 500 A.D. by the Lima culture.

That society of farmers and fishermen later gave way to Wari invaders around 700, who in turn were replaced by the Ichma three centuries later.

The legacy of each culture is apparent at different levels of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid site, which was expanded and adapted by each of them. This is evident at the spot of the new find: a platform for authorities during ceremonies conducted by the Lima culture that the Wari subsequently used as a funeral site.

Following the discovery, long and meticulous research work must still be conducted.

Firstly, Flores said, X-rays must be taken of the bundles, a task that will require some clinic or hospital in the Peruvian capital to lend its equipment to the archaeologists.

It will then be necessary to find a new home for the recently discovered mummies, since there is no adequate space to conserve them at the Huaca Pucllana site.

"We need it urgently," Flores said, adding that if such a place is not found "the lady of the mask" could end up at the archaeological complex's warehouse. EFE

Very interesting read, Queene!! Thanks!!!