38 skeletons found in pre-Incan Peruvian tomb

Archaeologists working in the northern highlands of Peru have uncovered a near‑intact pre‑Incan tomb that contained the remains of 38 individuals together with a collection of gold and copper artifacts. The burial site, located in a region historically linked to the Chimu culture, was discovered during a systematic survey of the area and is being examined by a team from the National University of San Marcos in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

Analysis of the skeletal material indicates that the tomb housed an elite member of the Chimu civilization, which thrived between 900 and 1470 AD, alongside other individuals who likely served as attendants or laborers. The presence of high‑status metal objects suggests complex funerary practices and a hierarchical society, offering new insight into the social organization and material wealth of the Chimu before the rise of the Inca Empire. Researchers plan further excavation and laboratory testing to better understand the tomb’s chronology and the broader cultural context of the find.