LIMA, Peru - Canadian archeologists have found a pre-Columbian tomb containing well-preserved human remains, ceramics and jewelry near Peru's northern coast that could shed new light on the ancient Moche culture.
The site in Ucupe -- about 670 kilometres from Lima -- may be related to other important Moche ruins in the area, including the famed Lords of Sipan tomb, dating to AD 200 that was excavated in the late 1980s, dig co-director Bruno Alva said Saturday.
Alva said the team recovered one body wearing gold-coloured copper funeral masks and wrapped in reed in the excavation that began in June.
The researchers also found remains of a young man nearby and animals thought to be alpacas or llamas.
Among the objects uncovered were gold-coloured copper crowns, earrings, nose rings, necklaces of silver, seashells and ceramics.
The remains most likely belonged to nobility, said Walter Alva, famed Peruvian archeologist who discovered the Sipan site.
The objects recovered reflect quality workmanship, he added.
The research team includes Canadian archeologists and some 20 workers from the area.
The Moche were a pre-Columbian civilization known for ceramics, architecture and irrigation systems that thrived from about AD 100 to 800 in northern Peru.
