Archaeologists unravel Peru’s mysterious mummy

A team of archaeologists is unraveling a mummy bundle found in Peru’s historic Huaura Valley. The mummy is believed to have been an elite member of the Chancay culture, a civilization that thrived in the central coast of Peru from about 1000 to 1400 AD. The territory of the Chancay was later home to the Incas.

Nelson’s work was funded by a Faculty Enhancement Grant from Tulane University and through a grant from National Geographic’s Committee for Research and Exploration.

The Chancay mummy, that is the current focus of the team, was found in the center of a tomb located within a large adobe walled compound. In addition to the mummy, the tomb contained several offerings including whole vessels, a bag of fruit and other goods.