Archaeologists in Peru have discovered a cemetery with a banquet area, where feasts were held. The cemetery is located at the El Chorro archaeological site, in Chiclayo’s Pomalca district, northern Peru.
Archaeologists have uncovered so far 32 graves overall. The burial site was used at a time between the final stage of the Mochica culture and the end of the Lambayeque culture. 23 of the graves date to the former culture and nine to the latter.
Among the findings a female mummy stands out, found along with textile tools and a ceremonial copper metal knife, probably an offering representing some kind of hierarchy within the group, an item only found in that particular grave.
Edgar Bracamonte, leading the Lambayeque Valley Archaeological Project, commented on the fact that 17 children burials bore signs of the same pattern, namely their feet had been deliberately cut up. Also, the hand of an adult was cut up and placed near his feet. Further investigation is needed to define the gender and age of the adult.
The number of graves and the banquet hall were feasts were held indicate the significance of the cemetery.
This set of evidence has been uncovered in only two months of excavations at the site.