Moche Indian tomb uncovered: 08-07-2008
Archaeologists in Ucupe in Peru have found a well preserved 1,600-year-old pre-Incan tomb.
Canadian archaeologist Steve Bourget told Reuters how a body was found inside a wooden sarcophagus as well as copper items such as crowns, earrings and nose pieces.
The tomb will be compared for similarities to that of El Senor de Sipan (Lord of Sipan), which was found in the same region; a prospect which is exciting scientists.
"It's clearly a first-rate find, because there is lots of iconography, which are elaborate," said Bourget.
"It will be a real pleasure to manipulate the data and compare them to sites like Sipan."
Experts hope to gain a deeper knowledge of the Moche Indians who inhabited the region prior to the Incas.
They existed around 2,100-2,800 years ago and were renowned for their fine ceramics and architecture.