Mysterious mummy found in tomb in Peru with hands covering its face

A mummy, fully bound in ropes and with its hands covering its face, has been discovered in an underground tomb in Peru.

Archaeologists from the National University of San Marcos found the mummy in good condition in Cajamarquilla, a significant site 15.5 miles inland from the coastal city and capital Lima, Peru.

The mummy is estimated to be between 800 and 1200 years old.

Although the mummy’s striking pose – bound by ropes and in the foetal position – appears chilling at first sight, researchers believe it is a southern Peruvian funeral custom.

The team of Archaeologists from Peru's Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos found a mummy at Cajamarquilla
The team of Archaeologists from Peru’s Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos found a mummy at Cajamarquilla Universidad Nacional Mayor de Sa

The tomb also contained ceramics, vegetable remains and stone tools.

Several marine molluscs were also discovered outside the tomb.

Archaeologist Yomira Huamán Santillán told CNN the discovery came as a surprise as the team was not searching for a mummy.
Archaeologist Yomira Huamán Santillán told CNN the discovery came as a surprise as the team was not searching for a mummy. Universidad Nacional Mayor de Sa

“After the body is placed in the tomb, there are constant events and activities,” Mr. Van Dalen Luna said.

“That is to say, their descendants keep coming back over many years and placing food and offerings there, including molluscs.”

The mummy was discovered with hands over its face.
The mummy was discovered with hands over its face. Universidad Nacional Mayor de Sa

The mummy, thought to be a male, likely predated the Inca civilization, which dominated the southern part of South America 500 years ago.

“The discovery of this resident sheds a new light on interactions and relationships in pre-Hispanic times,” one of the archaeologists who led the excavation, Pieter Van Dalen Luna said.

Cajamarquilla was occupied throughout the first millennium of the current era, but was then abandoned.
Cajamarquilla was occupied throughout the first millennium of the current era but was then abandoned. Universidad Nacional Mayor de Sa

It’s thought the man was aged about 25 to 30 years old and was likely an important person in contemporary society.

The findings indicate the area was likely multiethnic and would have been occupied by settlers from the coast and the mountains, according to information released by the university.

The mummy is estimated to be between 800 and 1200 years old.
The mummy is estimated to be between 800 and 1200 years old. Universidad Nacional Mayor de Sa

Archaeologist Yomira Huamán Santillán told CNN the discovery came as a surprise as the team was not searching for a mummy.

“The whole team was really happy because we didn’t think this was going to happen,” Huamán told CNN.

“We didn’t expect to make such an important discovery.”

Related Posts

The Enigmatic Discovery: Unearthing the Ancient Machine Beneath the Earth

In 1991, during an excavation in the remote highlands of Central Asia, a group of archaeologists stumbled upon something that defied conventional history. Beneath layers of compacted…

The Bronze Age Noblewoman: Unearthing a Forgotten Burial in the Levant

In 1988, a team of archaeologists excavating a site in the Levant made a discovery that would reshape our understanding of Bronze Age ritual and society. Buried…

Skeletons in the Sand: A Forgotten Chapter of the Nubian Desert

In the vast silence of the Nubian Desert, where waves of golden sand shift with every gust of wind, archaeologists recently uncovered a haunting tableau. Beneath the…

Sole of the Pharaohs: Ancient Egyptian Sandals as Symbols of Power and Faith

In the shifting sands of Egypt, beneath the ruins of temples and the silent chambers of tombs, archaeologists have uncovered artifacts that speak not just of survival,…

The Hidden Bones of Sekhmet: Unveiling Egypt’s Forgotten Mysteries

In the golden sands of Egypt, where the Nile carved civilizations and the gods walked alongside mortals in myth, the figure of Sekhmet looms large. Known as…

The Forgotten Metal Secrets of Ancient Builders

In the ruins of forgotten civilizations, hidden within mᴀssive stone blocks that still defy modern engineering, archaeologists have uncovered mysterious metal clamps binding stones together. These artifacts,…