Construction workers have stumbled across a thousand-year-old tomb while laying a gas pipe below the ground.
The ancient grave, beneath the streets of Lima, Peru – and just metres from a row of houses – contains a mummy believed to be more than a millennium old.
The grisly remains were found sitting down with their knees drawn tightly to the torso, and wrapped in fabric.
And now, archaeologists have said the individual dates back to the Incan Empire, which ruled over Peru until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
GETTY
|
The ancient grave contains a mummy believed to be more than a millennium old
The burial site contained two chambers, and though one proved empty, the second yielded the remains – along with several cultural artefacts from Peru’s pre-Columbian era.
Archaeologist Jose Aliaga said: “The material evidence suggests that it could be a burial of the Chancay culture, from approximately 1,000 to 1,200 years ago.”
The Chancay civilisation existed as a regional power before the Inca Empire rose to power, inhabiting the area now occupied by modern Lima as far back as 1,470 years ago.
The natives of the time left behind distinctive ceramic works, including vessels featuring human faces and small figurines placed within burial sites.
ANCIENT INCAN BREAKTHROUGHS – READ MORE:
GETTY
|
Aliaga said the tomb may form part of a more extensive burial ground
Aliaga said the tomb may form part of a more extensive burial ground.
He added: “We are probably over a pre-Hispanic cemetery, as we found another burial just around the corner from here.”
Four ceramic containers and three artefacts crafted from pumpkin shells were also turfed up alongside the mummy.
Among these items, researchers identified a human-shaped vessel typical of Chancay craftsmen, which they said suggests the deceased held considerable status within their community.
GETTY
|
Archaeological finds beneath Lima’s streets have become commonplace thanks to the city’s layers of history
They also found evidence of ancient ritualistic practices, with the body secured in position using rope with its hands placed over its face.
Archaeological finds beneath Lima’s streets have become commonplace thanks to the city’s layers of history.
Clidda, the natural gas firm responsible for the recent find, said it has come across more than 2,200 archaeological items on its projects alone.
Researcher Aliaga said: “Lima is unique among Latin American capitals in that various archaeological finds are unearthed during nearly every civil project.”
