1,000-Year-Old Mummy with Intact Hair Unearthed in Lima’s Ancient Soil

In a stunning discovery beneath the bustling streets of Lima, utility workers unearthed a 1,000-year-old female mummy, her dark brown hair remarkably intact. The find, made just 20 inches below ground, predates the Inca Empire by centuries and offers a glimpse into Peru’s ancient Chancay culture (1000–1470 A.D.).

The mummy, found seated in an upright position, likely underwent natural mummification in Peru’s arid coastal desert, a process that preserved her features without artificial embalming. Archaeologist Jose Aliaga, working with utility company Cálidda, confirmed the burial’s pre-Hispanic origins, noting its significance in a city that’s home to 400 archaeological sites.

Lima, a modern metropolis of 10 million, sits in a fertile valley fed by Andes rivers, a hub for ancient civilizations. Such discoveries are not rare here, but they never cease to captivate. As Pieter Van Dalen, dean of Peru’s College of Archaeologists, told AP, mummified remains are common along Peru’s coast, often found seated with hands covering their faces, preserved by the dry climate.

This find follows other recent discoveries, including a 5,000-year-old high-status woman’s remains, underscoring Peru’s rich archaeological tapestry. The mummy’s hair, still cascading after a millennium, whispers stories of a lost world, waiting to be told.