Discovery of 5,000-year-old mummy in Peru highlights women's role in ancient society

Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered the 5,000-year-old remains of a noblewoman at the sacred city of Caral, one of the oldest known civilizations in the Americas. This remarkable find sheds new light on the prominent role women played in the Caral civilization, which flourished from around 3000 to 1800 BC.

The discovery was made at Áspero, a ceremonial site within Caral that had been used as a garbage dump for decades, according to an article by CBS News, until it was recognized as an archaeological site in the 1990s.

According to archaeologist David Palomino, the remains belong to a woman of elevated social status, indicating she was a member of the elite. The mummy was exceptionally well-preserved, with remnants of skin, hair, and nails still intact — an unusual condition in the region where typically only skeletal remains are found. She was wrapped in a multi-layered shroud and adorned with a mantle made of macaw feathers, showcasing the cultural significance of birds in her society.

Alongside the body, archaeologists discovered a funerary trousseau that included a toucan’s beak, a stone bowl, and a straw basket. The woman also wore a headdress made from bundles of twisted threads, further emphasizing her high social rank. Based on preliminary analysis, she was between 20 and 35 years old.

Palomino highlighted the broader implications of the find, noting that it challenges traditional assumptions about gender roles in early civilizations. "It was generally thought that rulers were men or held more prominent societal roles," he said. "This discovery confirms that women also held significant status and power in Caral society."

The city of Caral is located in the Supe Valley, north of the capital Lima and just a few kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009 due to its historical and cultural significance. Caral is considered one of the earliest centers of civilization in the Americas, developing around the same time as other ancient cultures in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China.

This recent find is part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that Caral had a complex and socially stratified society with a diversity of roles and responsibilities. It follows other elite burials at Áspero, including the 2016 discovery of the “Lady of the Four Tupus” and the 2019 excavation of an “Elite Male,” both of which also indicated high-status individuals.

In related archaeological news, another team recently discovered an ancient tomb in southern Peru containing the remains of two dozen individuals believed to be battle casualties, adding further insight into the region’s early history and societal dynamics.

By Nazrin Sadigova