AN ANCIENT throne linked to an ancient civilisation known as the “Greeks of the Andes” has been unearthed.
Archaeologists have discovered a mysterious throne and murals in Peru, and the discovery indicates a powerful female rule reigned supreme 1,300 years ago.
An ancient throne room linked to the ancient Moche civilisation has been discovered in Peru[/caption]
Archaeologists discovered several female centric murals on the walls and on the throne itself[/caption]
Researchers also discovered human hair on the throne, indicating human use[/caption]
Researchers found an ancient throne room decorated with powerful women intertwined with sea creatures and representations of a crescent moon sitting on the throne receiving guests.
The woman depicted in the throne murals is associated with symbols of the crescent moon, the sea and its creatures, and the arts of spinning and weaving.
The discoveries were made at the Panamarca site near the Pacific coast.
The site is located more than 250 miles north of the Peruvian capital Lima.
Jessica Ortiz, research director for the project at the Panamarca archaeological site on Peru’s northwest coast, said the ancient murals “could indicate it was a woman who used the space, possibly a ruler.”
Archaeologist Jose Ochatoma said: “The most exciting thing is the traces of wear.”
Researchers also found evidence of human hair and wear on the stone, indicating the throne was used by a person.
Ochatoma added: “There is not a surface in this area that is bare.
“Everything is painted and finely decorated with mythological scenes and characters.”
Archaeologists believe the throne room dates from the 7th century, when the Moche culture occupied the coastal valleys of northwestern Peru.
Ochatoma said the room “captured scenes belonging to the Moche ideology.”
Nearby, researchers discovered another room with murals showing warriors, anthropomorphised weapons and a monster chasing a man.
The Andean nation is rich in archaeological sites, many dating back thousands of years.
Lisa Trever, professor of art history at Columbia University, said: “Pañamarca continues to surprise us, not only for the ceaseless creativity of its painters but also because their works are overturning our expectations of gender roles in the ancient Moche world.”
It was home more than 500 years ago to the Inca empire that dominated swathes of South America’s highlands until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
Ochatoma said: “We are discovering an iconography that has not been seen before in the pre-Hispanic world.”
The Moche is famous for its elite tombs, impressive architecture, detailed artistic representations, complex artifacts, and rich religious imagery.
History of the lost Moche civilisation
Dubbed the ‘Greeks of the Andes” the lost Moche Civilisation once ruled the north coast of Peru 2,000 years ago for more than 500 years.
It is believed the Moche civilisation flourished between 350 and 850 AD in the coastal valleys of northern Peru.
Archaeologists have unearthed some of the most fabulous pottery and jewellery linked ancient civilization.
The discovery shows the skillful Moche people were pioneers of metal working techniques like gilding and early forms of soldering.
These skills enabled them to create extraordinarily intricate artefacts; ear studs and necklaces, nose rings and helmets, many heavily inlaid with gold and precious stones.
The mysterious Moche left no written record but they did leave a fabulous account of their life and times in paintings on pots and vessels.
Many show everyday events and objects such as people, fish, birds and other animals. Others show scenes from what, at first sight, look like a series of battles.
Researchers also discovered the ancient civilisation engaged in ritual combat and human sacrifices.
Archaeologists and researchers are still unsure what caused the Moche civilisation to disappear, but believe that droughts could’ve played a part.
