A group of gas workers laying pipes in a Lima neighborhood has stumbled upon a remarkably well-preserved pre-Hispanic mummy, estimated to be over 1,000 years old. The unexpected find, attributed to the ancient Chancay culture, was made in a tomb beneath a city street and adds to the growing list of archaeological discoveries in Peru’s capital.
A crew of workers accidentally discovered a mummy more than 1,000 years old while installing gas pipes in Peru's capital Lima, their employer and archaeologists said Thursday.
The mummy was found last week in a tomb underneath a street north of Lima, said archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde.
The mummy was covered in a shroud in a seated position, arms and legs bent.
Pottery was also found in the tomb which was dated to the pre-Inca Chancay civilization that lived around the Lima region between the 11th and 15th centuries.
It was believed to be part of a large, ancient cemetery.
Lima, a city with over 10 million inhabitants, also houses more than 500 archaeological sites.
Gas company Calidda has reported more than 2,200 chance archaeological discoveries since 2004.
With AFP
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