500-Year-Old Pre-Hispanic Tomb Unearthed in Lima’s Ancon District: Calidda’s Archaeological Discovery Sheds Light on Ychsma Society

A pre-Hispanic tomb of a person from the Ychsma society dating back 500 years ago was found in Lima’s Ancon district as Calidda —the entity responsible for the natural gas distribution network infrastructure— carried out works in the area.

The funerary bundle was found along with various offering artifacts, such as mate vessels and ceramics.

The discovery dates back to the Late Period of the Ychsma Culture and joins the more than 1,700 archaeological discoveries that the company has made in Lima and Callao.

According to Calidda’s team of archaeologists, this funerary bundle was found bound by ropes that were arranged in a geometric pattern and covered by mats that kept it in good condition.

“Calidda has a team of archaeologists who supervise all natural gas installation works to ensure the protection of the city’s archaeological heritage,” said Luciana Caravedo, director of Sustainability and Reputation at Calidda.

“We work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Culture to rescue and preserve the findings; likewise, we are firmly committed to researching and disseminating our history, thus contributing to strengthen the pride of what is ours,” she added.

Important data

Around 1,700 archaeological contexts have been recovered and investigated during natural gas installation works, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, in the last eight years (in Lima, Callao, Chilca, and Cañete).

The results of the investigations are used to tell the millennial history of Lima and Callao to the community as a whole, in a joint effort with local municipalities, the Ministry of Culture, and other organizations.

Click here for more didactic information about the findings.