Researchers have discovered the tomb of an ancient lord filled with gold treasures and sacrificial victims at an archaeological park in Panama, officials said Friday. The tomb, believed to be about 1,200 years old, marks the burial site of the elite chief and dozens of people who died to accompany him to the 'other side,' the country's Culture Ministry said in a press release.
Inside the tomb at El Caño Archaeological Park, scientists discovered an array of gold treasures, including a bracelet, two belts made of gold beads, crocodile-shaped earrings, gold-covered sperm whale tooth earrings, and circular gold plates. Archaeologists also unearthed earrings in the shapes of a man and a woman, two bells, a skirt made of dog teeth, and a set of bone flutes.
The El Caño Foundation said in a Facebook post that the tomb likely belonged to a high-ranking chief of the local Cocle culture in his 30s. The foundation also posted a video containing the treasure.
Dr Julia Mayo, the foundation's director and leader of the archaeological project, said that in addition to the lords, the tombs contained up to 31 other people “who sacrificed themselves to serve as companions”.
Mayo said it was unclear how many people were in the graves because excavation of the burial site had not yet been completed. She said the lord was buried face down over the woman's body. This is a classic example of this type of store.
Panama Ministry of Culture
Linete, director of the National Heritage Department at the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro, said excavations at the archaeological park will begin in 2022. Montenegro said the gold and artifacts found in the tomb “have not only economic value, but also immeasurable historical and cultural value.” “
El Caño Archaeological Park is a cemetery built around 700 AD and abandoned around 1000 AD, the ministry said. It is located in the province of Coclé, about 100 miles southwest of Panama City.
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