Archaeologists in Lima, Peru, have unveiled the skeletal remains of an adult they believe was buried as an offering at the base of Huaca Pucllana, an ancient adobe pyramid.
The discovery suggests the individual may have been sacrificed during a ritual marking the closure of a canal connected to a ceremonial pool, according to Gladys Paz, the lead archaeologist on the excavation. The bones are expected to provide valuable insights into the rituals and ceremonies of the Lima culture.
The remains were found buried within a canal, positioned on their left side with the skull facing the pyramid and the Pacific Ocean.
The Lima culture thrived along Peru’s central coast between the first and seventh centuries, predating the Inca Empire by approximately 700 years. Huaca Pucllana served as a significant ceremonial and administrative hub for this culture.
The pyramid is now situated amidst parks and upscale residential buildings in Lima's Miraflores and San Isidro districts. It remains open to tourists.
Peru possesses over 400 archaeological sites within its metropolitan Lima region. Experts note that discoveries of tombs and burial artifacts are common along the Peruvian coast, often found during construction projects.
