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

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

National University of Sa
A mummy, completely 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 at Cajamarquilla, an important site 25 kilometers inland from the coastal capital city of Lima, Peru.

Although the striking posture of the mummy, tied with ropes and in a fetal position, seems eerie at first glance, researchers believe it is a funerary custom from southern Peru.

The team of archaeologists from the National University of San Marcos of Peru found a mummy in Cajamarquilla
The team of archaeologists from the National University of San Marcos of Peru found a mummy in Cajamarquilla
National University of Sa.

The tomb also contained pottery, plant remains, and stone tools.

Several marine mollusks were also discovered outside the tomb.

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

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

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

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

The mummy, believed to be male, probably predates 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,” said one of the archaeologists who led the excavation, Pieter Van Dalen Luna.

Cajamarquilla was occupied throughout the first millennium of the current era but was later abandoned.

The man is believed to have been between the ages of 25 and 30 and was likely an important person in contemporary society.

The findings indicate that the area was probably multi-ethnic and would have been occupied by inhabitants of the coast and the mountains, according to information released by the university.

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

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

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

This story originally appeared on News.com.au and is reproduced here with permission.