Tuesday, May 19, 2015

THE LADY OF CAO

THE LADY OF CAO

The ancient Peru not only had male leaders, there was woman called the Lady of Cao, who governed the lands of the Moche Culture in the IVth century. This is the result of the analysis of the mummy found in 2006 in the ceremonial center of Cao Viejo, El Brujo, La Libertad.



In the tomb of the Lady of Cao there were wooden scepters used in ceremonies as symbols of power and hegemony, and also metal plates covering the natural cotton shroud. The Lady of Cao had the status of leader, healer and fortune teller in this theocratic society located in the Chicama river valley, she was also an almost divine character as confirmed by the ornaments and dresses that accompanied his tomb.






In the tomb of the Lady of Cao, who was 1.45 meters tall and between 20 and 25 years old at the time of her death- there were also eleven clay vessels from three different historical periods: Mochica, Salinar and Gallinazo, according to the beliefs of the time, near this place were also buried three companions to protect her on her journey to eternity. She is also known as the 'Lady of the tattoos' becauses she has tattoes of snakes, spiders, crocodiles, monkeys, leopards, bees and butterflies. The mummy is very well-preserved, this was possible because the body was smeared with mercury sulfate, a poisonous substance to eliminate bacteria.


0 comments:

Post a Comment