The tomb of a guy who is thought to be a chief of the Coclé culture, the historical term for the people who lived in Panama over a thousand years ago, was recently discovered by archaeologists.
The El Cao Foundation shared some of the photos of the continuous excavation on their Instagram page after it was discovered in the El Cao Archaeological Park. The relics provide insight into the daily lives of those who previously resided in pre-Columbia.
Among the treasures, platinum- covered shark tooth earrings, bracelets, belts made of gold, and silver eel earrings have been found. The construction also uncovered the body of 31 various individuals. According to experts, the chief’s body may have been sacrificed to visit him in his death.
Dr. Julia Mayo, base director and construction head, noted that the key had been buried face- over. According to CBS News, Mayo claimed that it was common for a high-ranking people to get buried face-down on top of his female companion in this kind of burial.
Archeologists have been digging throughout the area since 2008, but 2022 the site’s investigation, a known royal and burial ground, began. The mausoleum is believed to be dated around A. D. 750- 800.
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According to Newsweek, El Cao was the site of lavish reunions with a sophisticated ritual that included people sacrifice, and whose supreme aim was the devotion of grandparents and the sacralization of the area, according to Mayo.
El Caño was first discovered in 1925 by American adventurer Hyatt Verrill, who found three graves in the region. Verrill reported the discovery, but, archeologists were focused on conducting research in the Sitio Conte place.
In the 1970s, construction was stopped after archeologists discovered just 16 graves and no significant metal or other items comparable to those found in the Sitio Conte excavations. The study of the El Cao area began in earnest.
Mayo’s resolve prompted her to do an electronic survey of the region in 2005. Imagery revealed a 250-foot-diameter round area of a feared burial site. A hero buried with a golden breastplate was discovered in the site’s primary construction, which was started in 2008.
What is thought to be a hero chief of the El Cao culture was discovered in 2011 along with 25 people who might have been ceremonial victims and numerous silver objects.
Following the discovery of a larger monument, construction, research, and study of the page are expected to continue.
