Embark on a journey into the heart of the Atacama Desert and unravel the ancient mysteries buried beneath its arid sands. Explore the astonishing tale of 150 mummies, remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. As we delve into their secrets, we shed light on the hidden mysteries of a lost world. Prepare yourself mentally as we embark on an extraordinary adventure through the depths of time. Discover the untold stories concealed within the ancient mummies of the Atacama Desert.

Explore the mysterious Atacama Desert.

A group of archaeologists from various universities in Poland, Peru, and Colombia recently made a significant discovery in the Atacama Desert. They unearthed 150 mummies belonging to a pre-Inca civilization previously unknown, suggesting a thriving culture that may have flourished nearly 500 years ago.

These naturally preserved bodies were found buried in the desert sand without any tombs constructed. The mummies were wrapped in linen cloth, reed mats, or fishing nets. Carbon dating analysis revealed that the oldest mummy lived around the 4th century BCE, while the youngest mummy dated back to the 7th century BCE.

The Tiwanaku civilization and its significance. 

The Tiwanaku civilization, flourishing in the Andean highlands of South America from around 300 BCE to 1000 CE, left behind a rich cultural legacy that continues to intrigue archaeologists and historians.

According to the Tambo Project, the research team has been conducting excavations in the Tambo River valley in the northern Atacama Desert region since 2008. Although the first mummies were discovered in 2012, it wasn’t until March 2014 that significant progress was made in the study of these mummies.

In addition to the individually buried corpses, scientists have also discovered various funeral artifacts. These include weapons such as obsidian-tipped bows and arrows, as well as clubs with heads made of stone or copper.

The tombs are adorned with intricately embroidered textiles, jewelry crafted from tumbaga (a gold and copper alloy), copper, and seashells with thorns attached to the deceased’s ears, along with specially preserved pottery.

Explore in-depth the Tiwanaku civilization.

Professor Józef Szykulski, head of the research team from the University of Wrocław, describes the discovery of the mummies and buried bows as particularly intriguing. These bows were not only used as weapons but also symbolized power, indicating that those buried in the Tambo River Valley could have been nobility or members of the upper class.”Indeed, the presence of bows in the archaeological explorations in Peru during this period is rare. However, we have discovered bows in areas farther south, such as Chile, and further east, in the Amazon region. Further research is necessary to delve deeper into this issue,” Szykulski told IBTimes UK.

In a few tombs, archaeologists have also found the skeleton of a humpless camel. This indicates that the animal was brought to this area very early, even earlier than previously thought.

Szykulski stated, “The burial of camels is quite common in pre-Columbian cultures.” We have gathered a wealth of information about the tools they used. For instance, baskets and fishing nets, agricultural activities, clothing, preferred jewelry, and even how they styled their hair.

The Polish archaeological team will return to Peru in October to continue the exploration of these mysterious mummies. The work will focus on both the burial site where the mummies were found and a nearby location where tombs attributed to the Tiwanaku civilization have been discovered.

According to ancient beliefs, it was thought that the Tiwanaku people did not venture deep into the Tambo River valley. The discovery of these tombs will further enhance our understanding of pre-Colombian civilizations in Peru.

The discovery of 150 mummies in the Atacama Desert reveals intriguing insights into a civilization, shedding light on their customs and way of life. These findings deepen our understanding of the region’s history and underscore the ongoing quest to uncover mysteries from our past.