• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

3,000-year-old priest’s tomb and artifacts unearthed in northern Peru

by Dario Radley
August 29, 2023

According to Associated Press reporting, a significant archaeological discovery has emerged from the Pacopampa archaeological site in northern Peru, where a group of Japanese and Peruvian archaeologists have unveiled the tomb of a 3,000-year-old priest.

3,000-year-old priest's tomb and artifacts unearthed in northern Peru
Credit: Peruvian Ministry of Culture

The Pacopampa archaeological site, located in the Cajamarca region, approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of Lima, has yielded a wealth of historical treasures. Archaeologist Juan Pablo Villanueva, speaking about this latest discovery, stated, “We have recently discovered the tomb of a 3,000-year-old figure at the Pacopampa archaeological site.” The body, belonging to what is believed to be one of the first priests in the Andes, was found in a well-preserved funerary context.

The tomb’s circular design measures three meters in diameter and one meter deep (10 feet by 3.3 feet). Inside, the priest’s body was oriented from south to north, with his lower extremities partially flexed. What makes this discovery particularly significant is the presence of a series of offerings alongside the priest, emphasizing his religious importance.

Among the offerings found in the tomb were small spherical ceramic bowls, a carved bone spatula, and two seals adorned with intricate designs. One seal featured an anthropomorphic face, while the other depicted a jaguar. These artifacts, along with the body, were covered by a protective layer consisting of at least six layers of ash and earth.

3,000-year-old priest's tomb and artifacts unearthed in northern Peru
San Pedro, Pacopampa archaeological site. Credit: Josef73 / Wikimedia Commons

Japanese archaeologist Yuji Seki, who has dedicated 18 years to working at the Pacopampa site, emphasized the importance of this find. “The find is extremely important because he is one of the first priests to begin to control the temples in the country’s northern Andes,” Seki stated. This discovery highlights the presence of powerful leaders in the Andes during an ancient era.

RelatedStories

Remains of 5,000-year-old noblewoman unearthed in Peru reveal role of women in ancient Caral civilization

Remains of 5,000-year-old noblewoman unearthed in Peru reveal role of women in ancient Caral civilization

April 25, 2025
Bronze Age cymbals unearthed in Oman reveal how music united prehistoric Persian Gulf cultures

Bronze Age cymbals unearthed in Oman reveal how music united prehistoric Persian Gulf cultures

April 8, 2025

Researchers estimate that the priest lived around 1,000 BCE, further emphasizing the antiquity of this remarkable find. It offers crucial evidence of the early emergence of influential religious figures and leaders in the Andean region during this period.

This isn’t the first discovery made at the Pacopampa site by the team of archaeologists. In September 2022, they unveiled the tomb of the “Priest of the Pututos,” another ancient priestly figure. Alongside this priest were musical instruments crafted from seashells, showcasing the rich cultural and artistic practices of ancient Peru. Pututos, conch-like shells used to produce trumpet-like sounds, were found in the tomb, providing a fascinating glimpse into the musical traditions of the time.

The Pacopampa site, situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level, boasts nine monumental ceremonial buildings constructed from carved and polished stone. These structures were likely used for rituals and ceremonies.

This recent discovery adds to a growing list of significant findings at Pacopampa, including the “Lady of Pacopampa,” uncovered in 2009, and the burial sites of two “Jaguar Serpent priests” found in 2015. These burials are estimated to date from around 700 to 600 years BCE.

Archaeologists from the National Museum of Ethnology in Japan and Peru’s National University of San Marcos have been integral to these excavations, collaborating to unearth and study the rich archaeological heritage of the Pacopampa site.

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths
Anthropology

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

June 15, 2025
Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)
Anthropology

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld
Anthropology

Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

June 14, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force
Anthropology

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle. Credit: DRASSM / National Navy
Archaeology

France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle

June 13, 2025
Mysterious pits on 2-million-year-old fossil teeth unlock clues to human evolution
Anthropology

Mysterious pits on 2-million-year-old fossil teeth unlock clues to human evolution

June 12, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
maya-collapse-was-transformation-

Ancient DNA reveals Maya collapse was a transformation, not extinction

June 1, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

June 15, 2025
Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

June 14, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle. Credit: DRASSM / National Navy

France’s deepest shipwreck found: 16th-century vessel discovered off Ramatuelle

June 13, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.