(CNN)A mummy estimated to be between 800 and 1,200 years old has been unearthed by archeologists in Peru, at a site near the country's capital city of Lima.
Researchers
from the National University of San Marcos found the preserved body
underground in the middle of a town square at the archeological site of
Cajamarquilla, around 25 kilometers inland from Lima.
The
mummy was tied with ropes and with its hands covering its face, in what
researchers say is a southern Peruvian funeral custom. The age of the
mummy means it dates back to pre-Hispanic times, and even precedes the
Inca civilization who established Peru's best-known citadel of Machu Picchu in the 15th century.
"The
discovery of this resident sheds a new light on interactions and
relationships in pre-Hispanic times," said Pieter Van Dalen Luna, one of
the archeologists who led the excavation.
He
told CNN the mummy was most likely a young man between 25 and 30 years
old who had come from the mountains to Cajamarquilla, formerly a
bustling commercial center in the pre-Columbian era.
The
excavation work began in mid-October with a team of 40 people led by
Van Dalen Luna and fellow archeologist Yomira Huamán Santillán, and the
discovery came as a surprise because they were 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."
The underground burial site where the mummy was found by researchers near Lima, Peru.
Another
unexpected find were several marine molluscs outside the tomb of the
mummy, which Van Dalen Luna said is unusual given that Cajamarquilla is
around 25 kilometers from the coast.
"After
the body is placed in the tomb, there are constant events and
activities," Van Dalen Luna said. "That is to say, their descendants
keep coming back over many years and placing food and offerings there,
including molluscs."
Llama
bones were also found outside the tomb, and Van Dalen Luna said this
was commonly eaten by people of the time and so pieces of llama meat
would have been offered to the deceased.
The
circumstances of the discovery led the researchers to conclude this was
no ordinary citizen, but likely an important person in contemporary
society.
"The
fact of finding a mummy with these characteristics in the middle of the
plaza makes it clear that this is someone of high status," Van Dalen
Luna said, adding that among other options, the person in question could
have been a leading trader.
The
team will now carry out further specialized analysis including carbon
dating that will allow them to narrow down the time period during which
the person lived and more details about their identity.
Several mummies have previously been found in Peru and neighboring Chile, with many being over 1,000 years old.
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