Ancient gold poses mystery for unique find

Lavish quantities of gold jewellery, artefacts and weapons are posing tantalising questions to archaeologists after the discovery of the tomb of a woman mummified 15 centuries ago in Peru.

The National Geographic Society reported today that its team found the complete burial site, which was within a massive pyramid in a valley called El Brujo, intact and in an excellent state of preservation.

Investigation of the mummy has begun after months of careful unwrapping. All evidence points to the fact that she was a woman of extremely high status to the Moche civilisation, who occupied the valley from AD 100 to 700.

The woman, who was in her 20s and covered with intricate tattoos, went to her grave adorned in gold and gem-set necklaces, gold earrings in the form of crosses, nose ornaments and four crowns decorated with a fanged face, the National Geographic reported.

Her tomb also revealed grave goods including golden needles and spindles, but most intriguingly, a number of clubs, spear throwers and weapons. The wooden and bronze weapons were housed in decorated carved sheaths made of gold.

Although tombs of high-status Moche women have been found in Peru previously, this discovery is the first to have revealed such a stash of weapons buried with a female. Experts and archaeologists are said to be astonished by the find, which poses many questions on the role of women in the ancient society.