In the northern region of Peru, a team of archaeologists has made a remarkable discovery: a tomb believed to be around 3,000 years old, possibly belonging to a revered religious figure from the ancient Andean society.

Known as the “Priest of Pacopampa,” the tomb derives its name from its location in the highland archaeological area of Pacopampa.

This tomb was found beneath a complex structure composed of six layers of ash intertwined with dark earth, the Times of India reported.

Preliminary accounts suggest that the tomb was adorned with intricately decorated ceramic bowls and seals, implying a connection to ancient ceremonial body painting—a practice commonly associated with individuals of elevated social status.

The Ministry of Culture in Peru has issued a statement indicating that the tomb contained two seals positioned along its upper perimeter.

One of these seals exhibited an anthropomorphic face directed towards the east, while the other presented a jaguar motif facing westward.

Initiated in 2005, the Pacopampa Archaeological Project has taken a leading role in this investigation. Remarkably, the geological strata suggest that the priest might have been interred around 1,200 BC.

This predates the tombs of the Lady of Pacopampa and the Priests of the Serpent Jaguar of Pacopampa—discovered in 2009 and 2015 respectively—by nearly five centuries.

Written by staff