Archaeologists have uncovered the graves of nearly 140 mummified dogs in Lima, Peru.
Archaeologists have uncovered the graves of nearly 140 mummified dogs in Lima, Peru.
The dig site is located with in the city’s main zoo. The mummies date back about 900 years.
Given how the dogs were wrapped and buried, experts believe that they may have been part of a human burial ritual. It’s believed the humans they were buried alongside were their owners.
The dogs were found in a ‘resting’ position.
Thus far, it’s been learned that all of the mummified canines were of different ages when they died.
Some were found to have been suffering from diseases.
Also noted is that they are of a breed other than the pre-Incan hairless which originated in the area. These show evidence of having had brownish yellow fur.
Offerings of vegetable rope and reed were present among many of the skeletons. The gifting of the materials gained popularity between the 2ndand 6th centuries, and is said to be a tradition specific to Lima.
More carbon dating will be performed on the remains to get a more specific assessment of when they were buried.
