Archeologists discover a strange 1,000-year-old children's cemetery in Peru

Peru is undoubtedly one of those historically and culturally rich places. From the famous Machu Picchu, mausoleum and final resting place of the Inca emperors, to the geoglyphs of Nazca, there's no denying the country's capacity for mystery. And this latest discovery, an almost 1,000-year-old cemetery seemingly dedicated to children, seems to be no exception.

An intriguing discovery

The strange exhumation took place in the district of Carabayllo, around the Peruvian capital Lima, as reported by the daily El Comercio. A cemetery dating back over 1,000 years was found, which was apparently dedicated to children. The first to make the discovery were employees of a gas company, commissioned to build pipelines. Jesús Bamonde was one of the archaeologists dispatched to the site, who later helped identify the remains.

Among them, those of 4 children and 2 babies, found in a perfect state of preservation. The dry, sandy soil and the fact that they were perfectly wrapped in cotton cloths helped to preserve not only the bones, but also the flesh. A rare occurrence. Wooden and ceramic objects were also part of the deceased's burial trousseau, as the experts explained. The children were buried in a position that surprised Jesús Bamonde and his team: most were in the fetal position, while one was in the lotus flower position. Mystery, did you say mystery?

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Cemetery or sanctuary?

Two adult remains were also discovered at the site. Archaeologists have identified the site as dating from the pre-Hispanic period, and it could be linked to the Ychma civilization, i.e. before the Incas. The discovery of these ancient burial practices is an excellent testament to the rites and customs of these bygone eras. For the moment, however, archaeologists face a number of nebulous issues. Was it a cemetery or an offering sanctuary?

Indeed, this latest discovery took place just 100 metres from a previous one, where 28 tombs had been unearthed. For some, these were not sacrifices, but classic deaths and burials following meteorological and/or dietary disasters. But it has to be said that the many other exhumations that testify to Peru's mystical past can only cast doubt. Further analysis is due to take place in the near future to determine the exact causes of death, as well as possible subsidiary relationships between all the deceased. To be continued.

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This article has been translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

El Comercio: Carabayllo: descubren un cementerio prehispánico de niños sacrificados | FOTOS

La Vanguardia: Ocho fardos milenarios salen a la luz en el norte de Lima durante una excavación