A 3000-year-old mummy was discovered in a very unlikely place - a rubbish dump.
An archeological researcher looks at a mummified pre-Inca adult uncovered in a funerary bundle on March 4, 2015, at the site museum of the almost unknown Puruchuco -"Feathered Head-Piece" in Andean Quechua language-complex in Lima.
Some students from San Marcos University first spotted the old remains.
After spotting its hair and skull, they discovered the mummy while helping with the dig.
3000-Year-Old Mummy Found Rubbish Dump in Peru!
According to BBC News' latest report, eight tonnes of rubbish were removed from the location just to recover the historic remains.
A mummified pre-Inca baby is seen on March 4, 2015, at the site museum of the almost unknown Puruchuco -"Feathered Head-Piece" in Andean Quechua language-complex in Lima. A recent road construction project was detoured several hundred yards to protect the 76 hectare pre-Hispanic complex, built over two thousand years ago on a stone hill in the eastern outskirts of Lima.
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Miguel Aguilar, one of the involved archeologists, said that the mummy is believed to date back to the times of the Manchay culture.
This means that the mummy was buried in the capital of Lima, Peru, between 1500 and 1000 BC.
For those who are not familiar with the Manchay culture, this civilization was known for building U-shaped temples, which are oriented towards the sun.
The mummy was discovered in a tomb in the center of a U-shaped temple. When the mummy was unearthed, it was wrapped in cloth made from vegetable and cotton fiber.
Aside from the historical remains, other items were also found buried with the body. These include coca leaves and seeds, as well as corn.
Because of this, Aguilar and other involved archeologists concluded that the historical person was sacrificed during the last phase of the infrastructure.
"It is approximately 3,000 years old," said the archeologist.
Fun Facts About Mummies
Discovering mummies is a big deal for archeologists and other science experts because these historic bodies help them know more about old civilizations.
These remains can provide answers as to how people lived hundreds or thousands of years ago.
Here are some fun facts about mummies that will certainly interest you:
- Mummies are more associated with Egypt. But mummified bodies can also be found in other parts of the globe, such as Peru and Northern Chile.
- Mummification is still conducted in Papua New Guinea to dry out the bodies of their relatives.
- Some Egyptians believe in the "mummy's curse."
- People are not the only ones being mummified. Animal mummies, such as dogs, monkeys, crocodiles, and cats, were also discovered.
- Bandages used for one mummified body can cover an entire professional basketball court.
These are just some of the fun facts about mummies. You can visit National Geographic to learn more.
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