In the tomb where people were sacrificed so that deceased loved ones would not be lonely

A chilling tomb full of gold has been discovered in the jungles of Panama, where a terrifying ritual of human sacrifice once took place.

Archaeologists have unearthed the ancient cemetery that was built so that the rich and powerful dead would not have to suffer a lonely afterlife.

6

6

6

Located in the El Caño Archaeological Park in the Natá district, Coclé province, the tomb was the resting place of a young gentleman from about 750-800 AD.

In the ancient Coclé culture, which existed between 200 B.C. and 1550 AD. In Panama, elite individuals did not have to worry about eternal loneliness.

Instead, archaeological evidence from ancient cemeteries suggests that Coclé leaders and nobility were sometimes buried together with their companions.

The chosen persons, usually their favorite wives or servants, were sacrificed as part of the funeral Fashion history.

As a result, several bodies are often found buried together, although the young gentleman’s funeral at El Caño is particularly lavish.

The elite individual’s body was found face down on a female body, which experts say was a common tradition in ancient Coclé culture.

But it wasn’t just the burial itself that attracted attention: piles of gold artifacts and the bones of as many as 31 other people were also found.

Panamas Ministry of Culture report that in addition to the offerings, mainly ceramic artifacts and gold pieces were found as part of the funeral trousseau (a collection of personal belongings).

Among the luxury items were two belts made of gold beads, four bracelets, two earrings in the shape of a man and a woman, an earring in the shape of a crocodile and a beaded necklace.

There were also five earrings made of sperm whale teeth with gold casings, two gold plates, two bells, skirts and bracelets made of dog teeth, and a set of flutes made of bone.

Experts believe that the luxurious objects found in the ancient tomb of the Coclé lord probably had a spiritual meaning.

Julia Mayo, leader of the archaeological project at the El Caño Archaeological Park, shared some initial findings and fascinating photos of the tomb with the Panamanian Ministry of Culture.

Images show freshly unearthed gold plates, a miniature gold statuette, and another gold artifact with an animal body.

With further analysis, the archaeologists hope to uncover cultural, spiritual and political elements of the mysterious Coclé culture and their hierarchical way of life.

However, as the excavation of the site has not yet been fully completed, the number of persons buried in the grave could still change.

The number is currently somewhere between eight and 32, although bones cannot be linked to a specific person without genetic analysis.

Elsewhere, a 2,500-year-old Egyptian tomb containing piles of ancient spells was unearthed in the Abusir necropolis in November.

According to archaeologists, the tomb belonged to a Djehutyemnakht, a royal scribe and high official at the time.

The discovery was made shortly after researchers unearthed the final resting place of a powerful queen who may have been ancient Egypt’s first female ruler.

An earlier excavation of ancient wine in Upper Egypt provided archaeologists with clues about a powerful ruler from 5,000 years ago.

6

6