Archaeologists have announced the discovery of a 5,000-year-old mummy believed to be that of an 'elite woman' in Aspero, a sector of the ancient city of Caral in Peru. The site, which was once a garbage dump for over 30 years, is now yielding significant archaeological finds. The woman's remains were carefully preserved, suggesting she held a prominent position within her society.
The discovery provides clues about the social hierarchy and burial practices of the Caral civilization, one of the oldest known civilizations in the Americas. Caral flourished between 3000 and 1800 BC, predating the Inca Empire by millennia. The presence of an 'elite woman' buried with care indicates a complex social structure with defined roles and status symbols.
Researchers are now conducting further analysis of the remains and associated artifacts to learn more about the woman's life, her role in Caral society, and the broader cultural context of the time. The Aspero site continues to offer valuable insights into the lives of people who lived in this region thousands of years ago, challenging previous assumptions about the development of civilization in the Americas.
5,000-Year-Old Remains of Elite Woman Discovered in Peru
Archaeologists in Peru have unearthed the remains of a woman believed to be of high social status from around 5,000 years ago. The discovery was made at Aspero, a sacred site within the ancient city of Caral. Interestingly, the area served as a garbage dump for decades before becoming an archaeological site in the 1990s. This find offers valuable insights into the social structures of early Andean civilizations.
Source: Read the original article at CBS