Overview:

Chauchilla Cemetery is a pre-Inca cemetery located near the town of Nazca, Peru. Dating back to the pre-Columbian period, the cemetery is known for its large collection of mummified bodies that were naturally preserved by the extremely arid climate. The cemetery is a popular tourist attraction and makes for a fascinating look into Peru's ancient past. It is believed that the cemetery was used sometime during the Wari Empire era, between 500 and 1100 AD. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Peru
Prominent Features:

Chauchilla Cemetery is an ancient burial ground located in southern Peru, close to the city of Nazca. It dates back to the pre-Inca times, and is made up of hundreds of pre-Columbian tombs. The cemetery is made up of hundreds of carefully constructed tombs, some of which have been carefully preserved with amazingly intact mummified remains still in them. The two most noteworthy features of the cemetery are its elaborate mummification process and its stunning adobe pyramids. The tombs at the site are divided into two main areas, one for adults and one for children. The tombs were created by the pre-Inca cultures using a type of mummification process known as desiccation. This process involves removing all of the soft organs from the body and leaving the remains to dry in the extreme desert climate for a lengthy period of time. The result of this process is remarkably well-preserved mummies that have often still retained pieces of clothing and other artifacts. The second major feature of the cemetery is its adobe pyramids. These pyramids have been estimated to be anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 years old and are some of the oldest standing structures in the New World. As with many of the pre-Inca ruins in Peru, the tombs have both religious and cultural symbolism associated with them, often depicting scenes of ancestor worship and spiritual reverence. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Peru.

History:

The Chauchilla Cemetery, located in the Nazca region of southern Peru, is believed to date back to the 9th century AD. It is one of the most important and fascinating pre-Incan archaeological sites in Peru, as it is the burial site of some of the most influential people of that time in the area. The cemetery consists of hundreds of graves scattered across a desert oasis. This unique combination of open air and sandy environment creates a special historical ambiance - making this a unique destination for archaeological exploration. Among the hundreds of graves, the most notable ones contain human remains that have been mummified and wrapped in decorated textiles. These mummies still retain their facial features and clothing, telling the story of a lost civilization. The site was discovered in the 1920s by the director of the Nazca Museum, Toribio Rodríguez. He immediately realized the importance of the site, and so began the process of full-scale archaeological research into the complex. It is believed that the cemetery was used from around 750 BC to 1150 AD, and researchers concluded that the range of artifacts excavated indicated a unique culture flourished in the area, with trade routes connecting it to other parts of the empire. Along with the mummies and artifacts unearthed, the Chauchilla Cemetery also preserves the complex funerary paintings and textiles found in some of the graves. These unique features – unlike anything seen at other burial grounds – reveal the fascination and beliefs of the ancient inhabitants. More than nine centuries after its “discovery”, Chauchilla Cemetery provides visitors with an incredible insight into this lost world. The careful preservation of the site ensures that the burial ground, its untold stories, and its inhabitants continue to speak to us from beyond the grave. Visit one of the famous monuments of Peru with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Chauchilla Cemetery is located about 30 kilometers south of the city of Nazca in southern Peru. 2. It was discovered in early 1930 by American archaeologist and explorer, Paul Kosok who first flew over the Nazca Lines and discovered the cemetery. 3. The cemetery is made up of hundreds of adobe brick tombs that were built in the 10th-century pre-Inca culture known as the Nazca culture. 4. The cemetery has about 80 tombs that had never been robbed and are still filled with bones, along with funerary objects such as jewelry made of wood and metal, cloth, feathers, tupus (brooches) and ceramic items. 5. One of the most important sites within the cemetery is the mausoleum which contains 8 mummies that were buried with gold and silver jewelry and artifacts. 6. The mummies and other remains were accidentally discovered by workers in the 1960s before the cemetery became protected by the Peruvian government in 1996. 7. The Chauchilla Cemetery is the most important funerary site in Peru and provides insight into the beliefs and practices of the Nazca culture and their view of life and death. One of the historical monuments of Peru, it tells the story of a bygone era