Archaeologists, led by Professor Krzysztof Makowski from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, made a surprising discovery at the Painted Temple near Lima, Peru. Unearthed at the site were 73 remarkably well-preserved mummies, dating from 800 to 1100 AD, amidst a complex series of previously poorly preserved and heavily looted cemeteries. This find, documented on the Archeowiesci blog by the Faculty of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw, included carved “false head” masks and offered insights into the Wari Empire before the Incans.

The intact burials, located below the Incan wall, defied expectations, with colorful fabric and rope wrapping each mummified bundle. Additionally, the discovery of “false heads”—masks crafted from carved wood and ceramics—highlighted the cultural significance of preparing the deceased for the afterlife, a duty taken seriously by family members.

Among the findings were two staffs of carved wood featuring images of dignitaries wearing headgear reminiscent of the Tiwanaku kingdom. These staffs were discovered in a layer adorned with fragments of spiny oyster shells, likely imported from present-day Ecuador. The carvings on the staffs depicted two deities on a high pedestal, indicating the Wari’s connections to regions north and south of their settlement.

The archaeological team challenges the prevailing belief that the Pachacámac site was solely a sacred city, asserting that it had a unique character during the Wari Empire. Their interpretation suggests that between 800 and 1100 AD, Pachacámac was a more modest settlement with a ceremonial platform, in contrast to its later highly religious status under Incan rule. Described as a “veritable goldmine of information on the social position of men, women, and children,” the discovery promises further insights into Wari history through continued analysis of the remains.