In 2021, a surprising discovery was made at Caja Marquilla, an important archaeological site in Peru. At the site, located 25.5 kilometers inland from the capital Lima, a mummy was discovered with its entire body tied with a rope and its face covered with its hands. The mummy, discovered by archaeologists from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, is estimated to be between 800 and 1,200 years old.

The posture of this mummy is very impressive and a little creepy. The way the body is tied with a rope and curled up like a fetus sets it apart from other mummies. In ancient funerals, the dead were often buried in a peaceful posture, but what does this posture mean? Researchers believe that this pose is probably part of burial customs in southern Peru.

Archaeologists were surprised to find the mummy in such good condition. Peru’s coastal regions are dry, providing conditions for bodies to dry out and be preserved. The discovered tombs also contain pottery, plant remains and stone tools, and these artifacts provide valuable information about the culture and funerary rituals of the time. In particular, the discovery of bodies tied with ropes suggests a kind of ritual significance in funerary ceremonies and may reflect people’s views on life and death and religious beliefs of the time.

Researchers also believe that this burial method had a particular social and religious significance in the society of the time. The posture of covering the face with both hands may have indicated the transition to the afterlife or a relationship with the gods. The symbolism of the fetal position may also be related to rebirth after death or the birth of a new life.

This discovery provides a new perspective on the funerary customs of ancient Peru and may provide clues to a previously unknown cultural background. Future research is expected to further analyze the state of preservation of the mummy and the artifacts excavated around it, facilitating a deeper understanding of funerary rituals in the ancient culture of southern Peru.

This discovery reaffirms the historical and cultural value of the ruins in Peru and will provide an opportunity for new developments for archaeologists. There is no doubt that the way the ancients perceived life after death and how they performed rituals will have a great impact on future research.