A team of archaeologists discovered the burial of a high-ranking woman at the Áspero archaeological site, an ancient fishing town of the Caral civilization (3000–1800 BCE), located in the province of Barranca, Peru. The find, made in the public building Huaca de los Ídolos, stands out due to the exceptional preservation of organic remains and an elaborate funerary assemblage that includes a rare panel of macaw feathers—one of the oldest known examples of feather art in the Andes.
The discovery was carried out by the Áspero archaeology team, part of the Executing Unit 003 Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC) of the Ministry of Culture, under the direction of Dr. Ruth Shady Solís. The woman, whose age is estimated to be between 20 and 35 years, was buried with an uncommon funerary treatment for the area, where typically only skeletal remains are recovered.
What makes this find unique is the preservation of skin, hair, and nails, conditions that are rarely encountered in archaeological contexts in the region. The body was carefully wrapped in cotton fabrics, reed mats, and a striking panel adorned with macaw feathers, arranged over a net of plant fibers. A headdress made of interwoven fibers was placed on her head, further emphasizing her high social status.
The funerary assemblage found alongside the woman includes objects that reflect her importance within Caral society. At the bottom of the burial, four reed baskets were deposited, along with a needle with engraved designs, a shell from an Amazonian snail, the beak of a toucan inlaid with green and brown beads, a wool textile, a fishing net, about thirty sweet potatoes, and weaving tools, among other artifacts.
In the upper section, archaeologists found three gourd vessels in the shape of bottles and another basket placed on a totora reed mat. The presence of these objects, some originating from the Amazon and the highlands, evidences the extensive exchange networks maintained by the Caral civilization with other regions.
The macaw feather panel is particularly significant, as it represents one of the oldest examples of feather art in the Andes. Specialists emphasize that this discovery demonstrates the high level of development in specialized techniques achieved by the Caral civilization, as well as its ability to obtain exotic materials through trade.
The Role of Women in Caral Society
The characteristics of the burial and the richness of the offerings suggest that this woman held a prominent position within the social hierarchy of Áspero, reinforcing existing evidence of the significant role women played in the Caral civilization—an aspect already noted in previous discoveries such as the “Lady of the Four Tupus” in 2016 and the “Elite Man” in 2019.
All three elite burials were found in close proximity within Áspero and, based on their stratigraphic location, would correspond to the same period of occupation. This grouping recalls the later burials of nobles documented at the La Galgada settlement in Áncash, indicating continuity in elite funerary practices in the Andes.
The discovery was presented at a press conference as part of the most recent results from investigations conducted in Áspero over the past 20 years. It is worth noting that before ZAC began its work in 2005, the site had been used as a municipal dump for nearly three decades.
Thanks to archaeological excavations, Áspero has become an important tourist and economic resource for the region. Spanning 18.8 hectares and located just 700 meters from the Pacific Ocean, the site contains 22 architectural complexes that reflect the social organization of its inhabitants during the height of the Caral civilization.
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