Archaeologists from the Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC), led by Dr. Ruth Shady Solís of the Ministry of Culture, discovered a well -preserved funeral at the archaeological site Áspero in the province of Barranca, Peru.
Áspero is a late preceramic archaeological site associated with cara-super civilization. Formerly a large fishing center for the city of Caral, Áspero was inhabited throughout the archaic period of the end of 3000 BC at around 1800 BC.
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The site covers an area of approximately 14 hectares (35 acres) and contains several large ceremonial structures called Huacas – the most important of which are Huaca Alta, Huaca de los ídolos and Huaca de los sacrificios.
A recent excavation in Huaca de Los ídolos has found the remains of a high -ranking woman, perfectly preserved with the skin, nails and intact hair. It was wrapped in several layers of cotton fabric, cutting -edge carpet blanket and a feathered panel that was built from macaw feathers.
According to the Peruvian state: “The panel of feathers is one of the oldest examples of feathered art in the Andes. Specialists highlight this discovery as an indicator of the high level of development of specialized techniques during the civilization of Carales. ”
The funeral contained a woven hairstyle, reed baskets, an incised bone needle, a shell from the Amazon, a toucan bead inserted with pearls, weaving tools, a fishing net and more than thirty sweet potatoes.
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Placed above the body, archaeologists have also found a collection of funeral offers, including bottle-shaped ships and another basket placed on a Totora reed carpet.
The nature of the offerings and the care provided in the burial strongly suggest that women occupied a position of high social status, further supporting the important role of women in Caral-Supe civilization.
A multidisciplinary team is currently carrying out current research on their health, its cause of death, its diet and the origins and functions of items found with it.
Image credit in mind: Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC)
Sources: Peruvian state
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