An important character Lambayaque culture developed in northern Peru, was buried between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries AD in an unprecedented watery grave has been discovered by researchers at the archaeological complex of Chotuna-Chornancap.
The team of archaeologists presented today by the Ministry of Culture this finding that is even more uniqueness to be placed beneath the tomb of the priestess of Chornancap, the first woman to found a social rank so high in this culture, epitomized by the Lord of Sipan (III century AD).
According to the resort manager, Carlos Wester La Torre, the tomb is just 60 centimeters below the chamber of the priestess and the water table of that land, which meant that for eight centuries was flooded by groundwater the area.In his opinion this is a deliberate circumstance as the body, whose gender is still unknown, are buried in these conditions attributable to the symbolism that the water would have on this culture, “and also dug wells and were aware of the proximity of water under their feet. “To excavate the tomb, archaeologists drilled two wells adjacent to continually drain the accumulated water in the chamber to the point to draw between 2,000 and 5,000 liters per day by this route and between 80 and 90 directly from the grave, by a pump.
When empty it of water found that it was “a religious authority with many political and religious ties because it was accompanied by three individuals, among other decorations had a pearl necklace, an offering exotic for this territory, as it may come from Ecuador or Colombia. “The head of the archaeological site, warned that the high humidity affect the conservation of some objects and quickly proceed to remove ornaments and pottery and shells with the cooperation of local farmers, which will reduce the risk of their crops.
On the fact of being under the tomb of the priestess of Chornancap said “it is unusual, but there is definitely a link between the priestess and this new character, but for now it is difficult to identify whether family or religious marriage.””The timing between them is short and there are similarities as the style of the earrings and silver-plated copper sheet covering their faces, but differ in that the female character was bent towards the east, while the new is extended like looking the sea, “he added.Also in the latter remains Lambayeque pottery, “while the priestess had ceramics from Cajamarca” and that trial gold Wester La Torre “is of high quality and shows that the goldsmiths of this culture are as masters of this art as their ancestors of the Mochica culture. “Both tombs are in a palace at the time that the archaeologist is the evidence that these buildings “to be passed later mausoleums.
Peruvian Vice Minister of Culture, Rafael Varon, announced that the remains of the priestess of Chornancap be exhibited from Friday at the National Museum in Lima, in a sample of 62 pieces found in his tomb, including his ceremonial scepter, earmuffs gold necklaces, pottery and silverware. EFE