Remains of Men, Women, and Children Buried as Heroes Found in Circular Pits of the Chuquibamba Culture in Peru

In October 2024, the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Wrocław (UWr) began a new season of archaeological excavations in southern Peru, in a project that has yielded surprising findings that shed light on little-known aspects of the pre-Inca cultures of the region.

The epicenter of these investigations has been the Atico River Valley and the adjacent Pacific coastal area, where an international team of archaeologists has documented stone structures and collective burials of an exceptional nature.

One of the most striking discoveries was made at the archaeological site of El Curaca, where an ancient cemetery was found, consisting of collective tombs arranged in circular pits with stone-lined walls.

heroes tombs peru pre-inca — View of the pits discovery site. Credit: Instytut Archeologii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego

In one sector of the site, archaeologists found the remains of 24 individuals—men, women, and children—accompanied by an impressive collection of funerary offerings. The items found include ceramics, bone and carved stone artifacts, as well as delicate textiles that have required extensive conservation work.

Anthropological analysis of the skeletal remains revealed a disturbing detail: all individuals had traumatic injuries that were the direct cause of death. This has led researchers to propose the hypothesis that they were victims of armed conflict.

However, what is most striking is that the bodies were buried with great care and with significant funerary offerings, which suggests that the surviving community honored their dead as heroes, perhaps after having emerged victorious from the confrontation.

The ceramic elements recovered from these tombs display typical features of the Chuquibamba (Aruni) culture, whose main center is located in the Majes River basin, south of Atico. This geographic and cultural link reinforces the theory that the buried individuals belonged to a well-organized community, with defined funerary rituals and a rich material tradition. Archaeologists emphasize that the funerary offerings were not only of ceremonial value but also demonstrate a high degree of artisanal specialization.

Excavations in the Atico Valley have also included laboratory studies and conservation work on the various objects found. Work on ancient textiles has been especially arduous due to the fragility of the materials and the need to document every detail before any physical intervention.

In addition, 3D models of the skulls found have been created—a technique that allows for more precise study of the morphological characteristics and injuries present in the human remains.

The Atico Project is funded by the National Science Center of Poland and is directed by Professor Józef Szykulski from the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Wrocław. He is joined by a multidisciplinary team that includes researchers, faculty, and students from that institution. The project also benefits from the collaboration of specialists from the Archaeological Museum of Gdańsk, as well as international experts from Peru, Colombia, and Mexico.

SOURCES

Instytut Archeologii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego

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