Hundreds of sets of remains, including headless skeletons and 30 skulls, are buried in the crypt next to the pyramid in Peru.
Many theories suggest that this was a ritual sacrifice to the gods of the Sican culture, but there are theories that indicate under these skeletons is the tomb of a powerful lord. Ritual of Voluntary Consecration Thinking that only Egypt has ancient pyramids on the Giza plateau, the outskirts of Cairo are famous for being mysterious and colorful, behind the door of the thousands-year-old Pharaoh’s tomb still standing. waiting to be deciphered, recently, in the country of Peru, which is famous for its unique charms and customs, archaeologists have excavated the ancient catacombs adjacent to equally mysterious.
Here, archaeologists from prestigious universities have discovered hundreds of headless remains and many other body parts located in a valley about 225 square meters. This is considered the land of the Sican culture once, the capital of the Lambayeque people located along the northern coast of the country of Peru existed from 900 to 1,100 AD. Anthropologists from Utah Valley University (USA) came to study and said: “This catacomb has a lot of bodies buried in a state of nakedness and some bodies have lost their heads. Most of the bodies were adults, with the exception of two pits containing the bodies of young children. Each small pit buried the bodies of an adult man and woman.
Many archaeologists believe that lying behind is the tomb of a powerful lord. Mr. Klaus, a member of the research team pointed out: “The culture shows that the Sicans are not warlike people. Their life and culture are based on economic development. The most flourishing period of this culture was around 1,000 AD (SCN). Because of that, the Sican territory stretches for thousands of miles to the whole country of Ecuador.
All bodies were buried in round pits. And the initial hypothetical comments also suggested that this could be the result of “voluntary dedication” in the sacrifice rituals of the people here who believe in “a new life awaits in the outside world”. that”. Accordingly, those who will volunteer to sacrifice their lives without hesitation and consider it an honor. Also because Sican is a holy land and all religious ceremonies are related to ancestors, the supreme being. Perhaps these mass graves for the purpose of sacrifice is the possibility that many archaeologists and researchers surmise. In addition, many people also believe that there is no evidence that this is just a simple burial crypt or a holy ritual, because the boundary between these two theories is still very vague and controversial. .
Ritual to sacrifice or protect the lord
Mr. Jose Pinilla, Head of Archaeological Team and Mr. Carlos Eler, Director of the National Museum of Sican said: “This mysterious catacomb is not like other catacombs found before in the Sican region and also in the Sican region. there are no documents or items on which to find the mystery of the matter.” During the excavation, archaeologists discovered skeletons buried in different high and low positions. The arms and legs are folded and carefully folded so that the two bodies are buried together in the smallest area. A body was found in the beer cellar. The whole body lies in a ceramic vase only about 1.3m high. A vessel used to brew a beer-like drink made from corn cobs, served at funerals. This drink is very popular not only in the Sican region but also among the Indians scattered throughout the Andes.
The skeletons in the catacombs were buried in a very ingenious way. From the body buried at the location of the beer cellar located just to the east of this catacombs, archaeologists determine that it is likely that the Sican people held a solemn burial ceremony. As a result, a large amount of corn beer was consumed for the ceremony and for the attendees. Some skeletons had no skulls and at least 30 skulls were found and buried in smaller pits in the catacombs. However, archaeologists are temporarily unable to explain why there are headless skeletons and skulls in the same pit and have not been able to find a connection for this.”It’s very likely that the experimental process will show cuts in the neck bones and if there are other forms of execution, they will also be found,” said Klaus of Utah Valley University.
Besides the skulls, in the catacombs, scientists also found skulls made of ceramic material representing the gods that the Sican people worshiped. These prosthetic heads are elaborately decorated and shaped like indispensable beer mugs, they are found scattered throughout the grave. In addition, the heads of camels, jaguars, turtles, monkeys, and bears made of ceramic are also found here. Based on ceramic textures and materials, bodies were placed in different pits and according to different depths and layers, the team showed that events occurred in this land dating back to 900 to 1,100 AD. From the initial signs, archaeologists and the research team hypothesized that this crypt had at least three excavations at different times.
The first two times it was possible that the Lambayeque only buried the headless bodies in small holes in the catacombs. The next time they dig at the locations where these bodies are, and of course after the decomposition process, only a pile of bones is left inside. They carefully classified each type of long bone, short bone into separate pits. Like the long bones that include the arms and legs out a pit. After a while, they proceeded to unload the bones and carefully arrange and arrange the positions together, detailing each bone one by one, how to look from the top down will visualize the picture of the deceased person. in holding, standing, living, working, holding children and even cuddling.
The skeletons are arranged very ingeniously and meticulously like the paintings of a talented artist or a beautiful work of art.”In the early 1960s, thieves broke into a smaller pyramid on the east side of the catacombs and they dug up a lot of human skeletons before reaching the lord’s tomb they wanted. looking for things of value,” said Elera, director of the Sican National Museum.Later research by archaeologists from Southern Illinois University (USA), led by Archaeologist Izumi Shimada, said that the catacombs here are elaborately built and contain many secrets.
dangerous. And John Verano, an anthropologist from Tulane University in New Orleans (USA), said: “Earlier graves in this area were discovered to have a variety of precious metals, special sacrificial items. From the analysis, we can only surmise, this may just be a new discovery of human skeletons killed for sacrifice or a character’s tomb. have some special power with volunteers to protect”.
