30 more people were buried along with the deceased as sacrifices to the gods
Researchers have discovered the tomb of an ancient ruler filled with golden treasures at an archaeological park in Panama, officials said. In the tomb, estimated to be around 1,200 years old, the privileged leader was buried along with dozens of people. It was an act of sacrifice, and the supposed warriors died to accompany the leader to the «afterlife.»
Photo: Ministry of Culture of Panama
Archaeologists discovered a treasure-filled tomb during excavations in the El Caño Archaeological Park, Panama's Ministry of Culture said.
Inside the tomb, scientists found numerous gold treasures, including bracelets, two belts decorated with beads, crocodile-shaped earrings, sperm whale teeth and round gold plates. Scientists also unearthed earrings in the shape of a man and a woman and a set of bone flutes.
“The grave probably belonged to a high-ranking representative of the local culture, Kokla, who was in his 30s,” — states the El Caño Foundation in a statement.
Foundation director and archaeological project leader Julia Mayo noted that in addition to the deceased, the tomb also contains about 30 people who were “sacrificed to serve as companions.” .
Mayo stressed that excavations at the burial site have not yet been completed, so it is impossible to determine how many people were in the tomb. She claims that the chief was buried face down, as is typical for this type of burial, on top of the body of a woman.
National Director of Heritage of the Ministry of Culture Lynette Montenegro said that excavations at the archaeological park began in 2022. Montenegro said the gold and artifacts found in the tomb «have not only economic value, but also incalculable historical and cultural value.»
El Caño Archaeological Park was a necropolis that was built around 700 AD and abandoned around 1000 AD, the ministry said.