A pre-Inca mummy, approximately 1,000 years old, has been discovered just 20 inches beneath a street in Lima, Peru. Utility workers found it while excavating trenches to expand the natural gas pipeline network in the capital city. As per reports, workers unearthed the trunk of a huarango tree, a type native to the coastal regions of Peru, which had previously been used as a marker for a tomb, located at that particular depth. The remains were discovered on Monday.
According to reports, the burial and its associated artifacts date from a period between 1000 and 1200 AD. Archaeologist Jesús Bahamonde, the scientific coordinator for Calidda gas company, informed local reporters that the remains of a boy, estimated to be between 10 and 15 years old, were discovered at a depth of 1.2 metres.
The mummy was found in a seated position, with arms and legs bent, and was wrapped in a shroud that contained calabash gourds. Alongside the mummy, various ceramic objects, including plates, bottles, and jugs decorated with geometric designs and images of fishermen, were also uncovered. These findings belong to the pre-Inca Chancay culture, which inhabited the Lima area between the 11th and 15th centuries.
Latin American countries, especially Peru, are rich in undiscovered archaeological finds. While well-known sites like Machu Picchu attract millions of visitors, there are many more structures and sites that remain hidden throughout the region. In some cities like Peru, utility companies are required to hire archaeologists when drilling the earth due to the possibility of encountering heritage sites.
Peru has a vast number of archaeological sites, though only some have been excavated. Experts and government officials believe there are approximately 100,000 archaeological sites in Peru, most still undiscovered. Recent discoveries include a 4,000-year-old temple and theater, and over 100 previously unknown structures at the Gran Pajatén complex.