Workers find 1,000-year-old mummy while installing pipes
The workers found the trunk of a huarango tree (a species native to coastal Peru), "which served as a tomb marker in the past," archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde, scientific coordinator of Calidda utility company, told reporters.
The mummy of a boy aged between 10 and 15, was found at a depth of 20 inches, he added.
"The burial and the objects correspond to a style that developed between 1000 and 1200," he said.
The remains discovered on Monday were found "in a sitting position, with the arms and legs bent," according to Bahamonde.
They were found in a shroud which also contained calabash gourds.
Ceramic objects, including plates, bottles and jugs decorated with geometric figures and figures of fishermen, were found next to the mummy.
The tomb and artifacts belong to the pre-Inca Chancay culture, which lived in the Lima area between the 11th and 15th centuries.
They were discovered while gas workers were removing earth from an avenue in the Puente Piedra district of northern Lima.
Jose Aliaga, an archaeologist with utility Cálidda, said the unearthed mummy still has dark brown hair.
"We found remains and evidence that there could be a pre-Hispanic burial," Aliaga said.
In Peru, utility companies must hire archaeologists when drilling the earth, because of the possibility of hitting upon heritage sites.
Calidda has made more than 2,200 archaeological finds since 2004.
Lima is home to over 500 archaeological sites, including dozens of "huacas" as ancient cemeteries are known in the Indigenous Quechua language.
"It is very common to find archaeological remains on the Peruvian coast, including Lima, mainly funerary elements: tombs, burials, and, among these, mummified individuals," said Pieter Van Dalen, dean of the College of Archaeologists of Peru.
Van Dalen, who is not involved in the discovery, said mummies on the Peruvian coast are usually found mummified naturally, generally in desert areas, with the skin dehydrated by the summer heat. He explained that other unearthed remains have been found to have undergone mummification procedures for cultural reasons and are usually discovered in a seated position with their hands covering their faces.
In April, archaeologists in Peru announced they found the 5,000-year-old remains of a noblewoman at the sacred city of Caral, in an area which for decades was used as a garbage dump.
Just days before that, researchers carrying out excavation work in southern Peru found an ancient tomb filled with the remains of two dozen people believed to be battle victims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kidney dialysis industry accused of maximizing profits over patients
Pentagon officials reveal new details about U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites
Netanyahu reacts to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
31 minutes ago
- Fox News
1,000-year-old medieval sword emerges from Dutch river after chance discovery: 'Barely corroded'
A remarkable medieval sword with rare symbols was recently put on display in a Dutch museum, over a year after it was found by construction workers unexpectedly. The discovery of the sword was announced by the Netherlands' National Museum of Antiquities (RMO) in Leiden on June 24. The artifact, named the Linschoten Sword, was found in March 2024 during "maintenance dredging activities," the museum said in a press release. Construction workers were struck by a "long piece of iron" while cleaning a small river known as the Korte Linschoten, the statement noted. The discovery turned out to be a sword measuring over three feet in length, dating back between 1050 and 1150 A.D. Pictures show the sword with a long crossguard and a pommel shaped like a Brazil nut, the museum noted. "The blade is sharp on both edges and inlaid with strips of gold-colored copper, forming circular motifs featuring a cross and an 'endless knot' flanked by three lines on each side," the RMO said. Medieval swords are "rare finds." The sword was likely made with high-quality iron that was mined locally in the Veluwe hills. Experts believe it was deliberately deposited into the river, as there was no trace of a scabbard or sheath. The museum also noted that medieval swords were "deeply personal possessions." "They were either buried with their owner or – alternatively – ritually deposited into water," the release noted. "In the latter case, they are often exceptionally well-preserved." RMO curator Annemarieke Willemsen told Fox News Digital that medieval swords are "rare finds." "When [swords are found], [they're] often well-preserved because they are made of top-quality steel," she explained. Many swords were "deposited in a river, where they rested for centuries under the water table, in an anaerobic environment," the curator added. "We have a similar sword with the same shape and date in our collections with the name 'Ulfberht' on the blade that was found in the river Schelde," she said. "We have [many] more swords from the Middle Ages more broadly.'" "Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time." In its statement, the museum noted that, though the sword was "remarkably well-preserved," it's possible that some components have decayed after 1,000 years. "Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time," the RMO's press release added. "The iron is barely corroded due to the oxygen-poor environment of the wet soil. Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword." The sword's remarkable preservation offers a rare connection to the 11th century, a period marked by frequent conflict in the Netherlands. "During this period, the Bishop of Utrecht held authority in the region, although the Counts of Holland and Flanders were rising in power," the museum said. "This era also saw a shift in military tactics and weaponry: vertical slashing from horseback gave way to horizontal thrusting between pieces of armor," the officials added. "This sword, which could be wielded with one hand, embodies that transitional phase – suited to both techniques."
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fortune-telling die among castle's quirky finds
A medieval toilet and a jet die used to predict the future were some of the findings that could help build a picture of everyday life at a medieval bishop's palace. Archaeologists at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, finally put down their trowels last Friday, ending more than seven years of excavations at the site. A detailed analysis of the findings, which could take up to two years, is currently under way. The final summer of digging culminated with the discovery of a huge medieval wall, but other interesting objects - from mundane to magical - have also been found since 2018. At least three medieval toilets have been found over the years "dotted around the site" according to John Castling, the Auckland Project's archaeology curator. "One is ironically very near to where the toilets are now for our visitors," he said. The latest one was found in June. The facility, known as a garderobe, is next to the Great Hall, where the bishops and their guests would have feasted. It might not seem particularly hygienic today, but at the time it was a "much cleaner way" than most people had in their houses, Mr Castling said. "It's demonstrating the power and importance of the bishops and their households." It is believed the toilets were last used in the 13th Century. Described as one of the most "rare and unusual" findings at the site, a whale baleen was discovered "sandwiched" between off cuts of 17th Century glass. Baleen is found inside the mouths of some whale species and is used instead of teeth to help filter prey. If a whale washed up on a nearby shore, it was claimed by the bishop as a token of their semi-regal status but also as a resource, Mr Castling said. The baleen was used in a similar way to modern day solid plastics and was put in items such as corsets, painting brushes and gauntlets. "In the modern world we tend to think of whales as beautiful creatures that are not a resource," Mr Castling said. "But in the medieval period they were viewed with a degree of reverence, but they were also seen as a resource that could be used if it washed up on the shore." A jet die was also found, but it was not used to play games. Instead, in the medieval period people believed the item could help predict the future. Mr Castling said there were not many similar dice in the UK and most were found in religious sites. When rubbed, jet sparks and gives off static. "When you first say to people, they had dice which they used in order to try and discern the future, that sounds completely alien to our modern rational world," Mr Castling said. "But it produces something that feels magical." Some items at the site have travelled from further afield. Archaeologists have found a 17th Century knife, believed to have come from Amsterdam, as well as French jettons, coin-type objects used in calculations. An amphora though to originate from south-west Spain was also discovered last summer. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Surprise wall find as years of excavations end Uncovered 1650s house captures 'a moment in time' Durham University The Auckland Project
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Archaeologist solves 'jigsaw puzzle' of Ancient Roman fragments hidden for nearly two millennia
Researchers in London recently announced that a giant "archaeological puzzle" has been solved, revealing artwork that's been hidden for 1,800 years. The Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) announced in a June 17 press release that one of its experts successfully reconstructed a collection of Roman wall plaster. (See the video at the top of this article.) The collection of painted ancient plaster is the largest ever discovered in London – and it took an enormous amount of work. "The decorated plaster was found dumped in a large pit, shattered into thousands of fragments," the museum's statement noted. "It took three months for MOLA Senior Building Material Specialist Han Li to lay out all the fragments and painstakingly piece the designs back together." The mosaic once decorated a high-status Roman building in the Central London district of Southwark, officials said. The building "was demolished some time before AD 200," MOLA's statement read. "These beautiful frescoes once decorated around 20 internal walls of an early Roman (AD 43-150) building," the museum noted. "These vibrant artworks can be reconstructed to reveal their full glory." "Now, for the first time in over 1800 years, these vibrant artworks can be reconstructed to reveal their full glory." Officials said the fresco was designed to show off the property owner's wealth, as well as its good taste. They noted the fresco includes "yellow panel designs with black intervals beautifully decorated with images of birds, fruit, flowers and lyres." "Finding repeating yellow panels like these is [rare] … While panel designs were common during the Roman period, yellow panels weren't," the museum said. "They have been identified at only a few sites across the country." "Tragically, the fragment is broken where the painter's name would have appeared." Historians also excitedly came across the remains of the artist's signature — though that identity is still lost to time. "[The signature] is framed by a tabula ansata, a carving of a decorative tablet used to sign artwork in the Roman world," the statement detailed. "It contains the Latin word 'FECIT,' which translates to 'has made this.'" "Tragically, the fragment is broken where the painter's name would have appeared, meaning the [person's] identity will likely never be known." Like many Ancient Roman discoveries, the mosaic also displayed some graffiti left behind by the owners and visitors. Among the graffiti was a drawing of a crying woman with a distinct Flavian period hairstyle, as well as the Greek alphabet. "[O]ther examples in Italy suggest that the alphabet served a practical use, such as a checklist, tally or reference," the museum said, noting that it's the only known example of its kind from Roman Britain. In a statement, archaeologist Han Li called the discovery a "once in a lifetime moment." "Many of the fragments were very delicate and pieces from different walls had been jumbled together when the building was demolished, so it was like assembling the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle." "I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness when I started to lay the plaster out," the expert recalled. "Many of the fragments were very delicate and pieces from different walls had been jumbled together when the building was demolished, so it was like assembling the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle." Li also remarked that "[not] even individuals of the late Roman period in London" would have seen the art, making the discovery particularly special. The discovery of the Roman fresco in London offers a vivid glimpse into the era when Romans ruled Britain, from 43 A.D. to 410 A.D. They maintained their presence in Britain for nearly four centuries before beginning their withdrawal in 410 A.D – and many remnants of their power and influence are being found today. In May, British archaeologists announced the discovery of an unusual eight-sided ring in a former drainage ditch. This winter, a Roman grave filled with gypsum was found during a highway construction project in England.
