Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,250-year-old tomb containing the remains of a man covered in gold jewelry

Burial of Coclé chief, Natá District, Panama

Photos by Julia Mayo, Courtesy of Fundación El Caño

At El Caño Archaeological Park in central Panama, archaeologists have unearthed a 1,250-year-old tomb containing the remains of a man draped in gold ornaments and buried face down alongside numerous gold figurines and eight gold breastplates, or pectorals, as well as tubes made of deer bones. The El Caño necropolis was built on the banks of Panama’s Rio Grande between the eighth and eleventh centuries a.d. by the Coclé people. Archaeologist and project director Julia Mayo initially believed the tubes were flutes, but, upon closer inspection, she determined they are what are known as healing tubes, which the Coclé likely used to inhale and exhale smoke from burning medicinal herbs during rituals. The presence of the tubes, along with the gold cache—which includes bells and a small gold figurine depicting an otherworldly creature with a bat’s ears and nose—suggests the man was a Coclé chief who was likely a shaman or medicine man. “Shamans are often seen as healers, helping people overcome physical, emotional, or spiritual illnesses,” says Mayo. “Through dance, music, repetitive sounds, or meditation, shamans enter trance states to communicate with spirits, receive visions, or access knowledge.”

Gold breastplate (left) with hybrid beasts and gold figurine (right) with bat’s ears and nose

Photos by Julia Mayo, Courtesy of Fundación El Caño

According to Mayo, the necropolis was used to venerate Coclé ancestors and to legitimize the power of ruling families through public ceremonies. On the surfaces of the pectorals are depictions of mythological creatures including hybrid beasts with features of bats, butterflies, fish, sharks, crocodiles, and birds. These hybrids represent mutability and the transition to the afterlife. “The Coclé selected animals that could inhabit multiple elements—earth, air, water, and fire—or possessed abilities associated with shamanism, such as transformation, flight, or vision in the dark,” says researcher Mercedes Guinea. “The figures embossed on the gold pectorals represent the ways their gods manifested themselves to the shamans.”

now

Related Posts

A masterpiece of the second half of the 15th century and also the only work of its kind excavated in China

Gold Cicada on a Jade Leaf Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Nanjing Museum On a crystal-like jade leaf sits a vividly crafted, gold cicada. The object is exquisitely shaped…

The old farmer discovered a “gold treasure” in a mountain cave and learned a life-long lesson

One day in 1980, an old man named Duong from Binh Lo, China went up the mountain to chop wood as usual. However, because the weather was…

A discovery found hidden inside a 1,000-year-old Chinese chest could help archaeologists achieve enlightenment.

A discovery found hidden inside a 1,000-year-old Chinese chest could help archaeologists reach enlightenment. Fragments of bone which were uncovered within the gold chest could belong to…

Workers accidentally discovered a collection of ancient artifacts that later became known as the Panagurishte treasure

In 1949, the quiet Bulgarian town of Panagurishte became the center of archaeological excitement. Workers stumbled upon a collection of ancient artifacts that would come to be…

A golden Buddha temple and a hidden treasure are unearthed, concealing a story that has been buried for centuries.

Iп the heart of a remote, pictυresqυe village, a groυp of eпthυsiastic metal detectorists embarked oп aп extraordiпary joυrпey that woυld lead them to aп iпcredible discovery…

Journey to find treasure deep in the cave

When it comes to discovering the mysteries of nature, it is impossible not to mention the journey of searching for treasures deep in caves. At first, my…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *