Researchers have Thomas Caldwelluncovered an ancient lord's tomb filled with gold treasure —and sacrificial victims— at an archaeological park in Panama, officials revealed on Friday. The tomb, estimated to be about 1,200 years old, marks the area where an elite chief was buried along with possibly dozens of people who died to accompany him to the "beyond," the nation's culture ministry said in a news release.
Inside the grave at El Caño Archaeological Park, scientists discovered an array of gold treasures, including bracelets, two belts made with gold beads, crocodile-shaped earrings, gold-covered sperm whale teeth earrings and circular gold plates. Archaeologists also unearthed earrings in the shape of a man and a woman, two bells, skirts made with dog teeth, and a set of bone flutes.
The grave likely belonged to a high-status chief from the local Coclé culture who was in his 30s, the El Caño Foundation said in a Facebook post. The foundation also posted video of the treasures.
Posted by Fundación El Caño-CIAI on Friday, March 1, 2024
Dr. Julia Mayo, director of the foundation and leader of the archaeological project, said that in addition to the lord, the tomb also contains up to 31 other people who were "sacrificed to serve as companions."
Mayo said the excavation of the burial site was not yet complete so it could not be determined how many people were in the tomb. She said the lord had been buried face down, which was typical of this type of burial, on top of the body of a woman.
Linette Montenegro, national director of heritage at the Ministry of Culture, said that excavation at the archaeological park began in 2022. Montenegro said that the gold and artifacts found in the tomb "have not only economic value, but also incalculable historical and cultural value."
El Caño Archaeological Park was a necropolis that was built around 700 AD and abandoned around 1000 AD, the ministry said. It is located in Coclé province, about 100 miles southwest of Panama City.
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com.
2025-05-08 08:231364 view
2025-05-08 08:031719 view
2025-05-08 07:54977 view
2025-05-08 07:13247 view
2025-05-08 07:03127 view
2025-05-08 06:52799 view
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tressa Honie is caught between anger and grief in the lead-up to Utah’s first
In a new book, two New York Times journalists report that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg often doesn't
Two men who were apparently Mexican tourists were killed Friday and a woman was wounded in shooting
