Archaeologists in Peru have unveiled the tomb of a woman believed to have lived approximately 5,000 years ago, potentially belonging to the elite class of the ancient Caral civilization. This finding, according to experts, highlights the significant role women held within the community at that time.
Caral is recognized as the oldest city in the Americas, with possible habitation coinciding with the rise of ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Sumerian civilizations. However, researchers suggest that Caral evolved in complete isolation compared to these cultures.
The burial site, discovered in the region of Aspero within Caral, was previously utilized as a waste dump.
David Palomino, an archaeologist, stated to Reuters on Thursday that this tomb is significant because it contains artifacts indicative of a woman of high status, noting the intricate wrapping of the body that preserved her skin, hair, and nails.
He further explained that this discovery reveals that men were not the sole contributors to the development of this civilization; women also played a crucial role alongside them.