Panama City, Panama – Archaeologists in Panama have unearthed a 1,000-year-old tomb containing human remains and a wealth of golden artifacts and ceramics, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s pre-Columbian societies. The discovery highlights the complex social structures and beliefs of communities that inhabited central Panama between the 8th and 11th centuries.
The tomb was discovered at the El Cano site in the Natá region, approximately 200 kilometers southwest of Panama City, during an excavation focused on understanding these ancient communities. According to Julia Mayo, the lead archaeologist on the project, the remains found within the tomb belonged to a member of the elite class.
“The remains that were buried with the gold belong to the highest-ranking person in the group,” Mayo stated, as reported by Sky News Arabia. The individual was interred with golden bracelets, earrings and an ornate chest plate decorated with depictions of bats and crocodiles, alongside intricately decorated pottery.
Researchers believe the artifacts and burial practices suggest these ancient societies did not view death as an finish to life, but rather as a transition to another stage where an individual’s social status was maintained. The tomb itself was used for burials over a period of roughly 200 years, according to the excavation team.
Panama’s Ministry of Culture has hailed the find as “of great importance to archaeology in Panama and the study of pre-Hispanic societies in Central America,” Sahafa 24 reported. The discovery provides valuable insights into the social hierarchies and spiritual beliefs of these early inhabitants of the region.
The age of the tomb is estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 years old, as noted in a report by Akhbaar24. Further analysis of the remains and artifacts is expected to reveal more details about the life and times of this prominent figure and the society they belonged to.
This archaeological find underscores Panama’s rich cultural heritage and the ongoing efforts to uncover the mysteries of its pre-Columbian past. The discovery is likely to attract further research and potentially boost cultural tourism in the Natá region.
