Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,000-year-old ancient tomb. The owner of the tomb has been identified as a surgeon of the Sicán period. The grave was found along with the surgical kit.

The unearthed tomb of a Sican surgeon who lived 1,000 years ago in Peru.

The name Sican means “temple of the Moon”.

During the excavation process, archaeologists unearthed an ancient tomb at the shrine of Las Ventanas mausoleum. This is identified as a tomb dating back 1000 years.

The person lying in the tomb has been identified as a surgeon of the Sicán culture. Because when excavating, archaeologists found surgical instruments.

Anatomical tools found

Surgical tools were found such as: a belly band or a crescent-shaped knife (made of a mixture of gold and silver), dozens of knives with wooden handles, awls and needles were also found in the tomb. Even an unidentified plant is said to be used to relieve pain in patients.

The Sican surgeon who found buried in a lotus flower position, sitting cross-legged. He was wearing a golden mask with feathered eyes and a large bronze breastplate.

Compare with modern medical equipment

Digging deeper, archaeologists compared the medical tools found with the medical equipment of a modern surgeon.

“We have to make a detailed typology of the surgical instruments to compare them with the Paracas instruments. There are some that coincide and some that don’t, but what is interesting is the case of Lambaye, where an object has the auction of the God of the Mask with Closed Eyes always present,” Elera said.

The so-called Sicán culture – which emerged around the years 700 to 750 AD and was in force until 1375 – worshipped the Lord of Sicán, the most prestigious religious figure in northern Peru. At that stage, there were about seven to eight “lords of Sicán”, who represented heavenly power on earth, which they physically described with a mask with winged eyes and ears.”