Archaeologists in coastal Peru have uncovered the 5,000-year-old remains of a woman believed to have held high social status within the ancient Caral civilisation, offering rare insight into the societal role of women in one of the oldest known cities in the Americas.
The remains were discovered at Aspero, a sector of the Caral archaeological site once used as a municipal dump, roughly 180 kilometres north of Lima. Caral is recognised as the oldest urban settlement in the Americas and dates back to around 3,000 B.C., existing contemporaneously with ancient Egypt, Sumer and early Chinese dynasties—yet it developed entirely independently of these great civilisations.
“This is an important burial because it has elements that correspond to a woman of high status,” said archaeologist David Palomino. He noted the remarkable preservation of the woman’s skin, hair, and nails, as well as the elaborate manner in which her body was wrapped.
The young woman, who was likely between 20 and 35 years old at the time of death, was discovered with a feathered mantle featuring blue and brown plumage—possibly from an Amazonian bird like a macaw. The tomb was surrounded by ceremonial offerings including baskets, gourds, vases, and a toucan’s beak.
Palomino emphasised the broader significance of the find: “This discovery shows that not only men had an important association in this civilisation, but this was also complementary with that of women.”
The Caral civilisation is often cited as a cradle of early Andean society. The latest discovery bolsters long-held hypotheses that women may have held religious or political power within this ancient culture, challenging the traditional male-centric narratives of early civilisations.
Researchers are continuing to examine the burial site to learn more about the woman’s identity and the customs of the Caral people.
Melissa Enoch
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