Pre-Incan grave with human sacrifices found in Peru

Archaeologists working in northwestern Peru have discovered an ancient metallurgy workshop, two tombs and nine victims of human sacrifice, believed to date back over 1,000 years.

Skeletons of human sacrifices are seen at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary,
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

The discovery was made at the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary, in the coastal area of Lambayeque, some 700 km (435 miles) north of Lima.

Archaeologist Go Matsumoto works at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Santcuary, 
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

Skeletons of human sacrifices are seen at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary, 
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

Skeletons of human sacrifices are seen at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary, 
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

The team of Japanese and Peruvian archaeologists found nine corpses of men, all between the ages of 25 and 30, who were sacrificed as part of a ritual.

People work at an archaeological site at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary, 
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

A worker is seen at an archaeological site at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary, 
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

A worker carefully removes pottery found at an archaeological site at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic 
Sanctuary, in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

In a separate area, they discovered a tomb believed to have belonged to an elite member of the Sican culture, which pre-dated the Incas. Both tombs were surrounded by ceramic vessels and ceremonial knives.

A worker shows a pottery artefact found at an archaeological site at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic 
Sanctuary, in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

A pottery artefact is seen at an archaeological site at Huaca de la Cruz in the Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary, 
in Lambayeque, Peru [Credit: Pierre Cobos/Reuters]

The Sicans are believed to have been traders and skilled artisans whose metallurgy and ceramics featured religious motifs.

The burial practices of the Sican were banned after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.

Source: Reuters [September 27, 2017]