Ancient Peru throne room points to possible female ruler, archaeologists say

Published October 1, 2024 3:55am



Conservator Rafael Gordillo Mendez reveals the painted surface of the pillar at the archaeological site of Panamarca where archaeologists have uncovered evidence that could point to a woman ruling in a coastal valley during the ancient Moche culture over 1,300 years ago, including a used throne and scenes in elaborate wall paintings, in Nepena, Peru, in this handout photo distributed on September 29, 2024. PRIA (Archaeological Research Program) Paisajes Arqueologicos de Panamarca - Lisa Trever/Handout via REUTERS


LIMA, Peru - Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered evidence that could point to a woman ruling in a coastal valley during the ancient Moche culture more than 1,300 years ago, including a stone throne and unique scenes depicted in elaborate wall paintings.

The nature of the ancient murals "could indicate it was a woman who used the space, possibly a ruler," said Jessica Ortiz, research director for the project at the Panamarca archeological site on Peru's northwest coast.

The researchers found a pillared throne room lined with murals showing a powerful woman intertwined with sea creatures and representations of a crescent moon, sitting on a throne and receiving visitors. Evidence such as the presence of human hair and wear on the stone indicated that the throne was used by a person.

"The most exciting thing is the traces of wear," said archaeologist Jose Ochatoma. "There is not a surface in this area that is bare. Everything is painted and finely decorated with mythological scenes and characters," Ochatoma added.

Ochatoma compared the room to the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling bears biblical figures and scenes painted in frescoes by Michelangelo. The one in Peru, Ochatoma said, is "a place where they captured scenes belonging to the Moche ideology."

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