Researchers have discovered an undissolved Moche mᴜmmу woman more than 1,200 years old at the El Brujo archaeological site

The discovery of the remains of Lady Cao, a Moche mummy, has rewritten ancient history and provided a greater understanding of Moche culture. The Moche civilization thrived and ruled the northern coast of Peru between the first and eighth centuries, using a complex irrigation system to dominate the desert, building adobe pyramids, and utilizing relationships to unify their society.

Lady Cao’s mummy was discovered in 2006 at the archaeological site of El Brujo in La Libertad, Peru. She was in her twenties when she died around 450 CE, likely due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth. Her tomb, the eighth discovered in 25 years, is believed to have belonged to a Moche priestess buried 1,200 years ago. The number of artifacts and the complexity of the burial indicate Lady Cao’s power and influence in life.

Lady Cao’s mummy was adorned with tattoos and jewelry, including a U-shaped crown with a puma in the middle and a necklace with large beads, each carrying a cat face scarf. Using sophisticated 3D technology, scientists later reconstructed her face and discovered that she may have been a priestess or even a ruler in the Chicama Valley.

Until the discovery of Lady Cao’s remains, it was believed that the Moche civilization was ruled by male warriors. However, her high rank in Moche society shows that women also held positions of power. Rewriting history books is a challenging task, but discoveries like Lady Cao’s continue to expand our understanding of ancient civilizations.

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