Workers installing new gas lines in Lima, Peru made a remarkable discovery last week when they uncovered eight mummified bodies and various artifacts dating back to pre-Inca times. The capital region of Lima has a rich history, often unearthed during infrastructure projects like this. The gas line workers, employed by Calidda, the company responsible for distributing natural gas in the city, have been conducting excavations for the past 19 years. In that time, they have discovered over 1,900 archaeological finds, including textiles, pottery, and mummies. These discoveries have mostly been connected to burial sites on flat ground, but there have also been over 400 larger archaeological sites discovered throughout the urban landscape.

The recent find consisted of eight funeral bales, containing mummified men in seated positions. The bodies were wrapped in cotton cloth and tied with liana-braided ropes. According to Calidda archaeologists, these bales are believed to be from the pre-Inca culture known as Ichma, which thrived from 1100 A.D. until it became part of the Inca Empire in the late 15th century. Each burial site can hold approximately two adults and six juveniles. Interestingly, all eight burial sites were found near braised chicken restaurants and a road leading to Peru's only nuclear power station.

This is not the first time such discoveries have been made during gas line installations. In 2018, archaeologists stumbled upon wooden coffins containing three Chinese immigrants buried in the La Flor neighborhood during the 19th century. Alongside the bodies, various items were found, including opium-smoking pipes, handmade cigarettes, shoes, Chinese playing cards, a Peruvian silver coin from 1898, and a certificate of completion from 1875.

The historical significance of these findings is not surprising, considering Lima's occupation for over 10,000 years by various cultures, including the Pre-Inca, Inca, and Spanish conquistadors. Jesus Bahamonde, an archaeologist at Calidda, described the discoveries as "leaves of the lost history of Lima" hidden beneath tracks and streets. The city's rich cultural heritage continues to be unveiled, providing valuable insights into its past. The ongoing excavation work by Calidda serves not only as a means of upgrading and expanding gas line systems but also as a way of preserving and understanding the region's history.