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Why were the remains of the dead painted red in Peru? Scientists have several theories
Peru is famous for its archaeological discoveries. Many of them involve unusual burials. What did scientists investigate this time?
Ancient burial sites tell a lot about local customs and beliefs. Especially in Peru, archaeologists quite often discover intriguing tombs and human remains. In 2022 alone, scientists described the skeletons of 76 children who had been sacrificed. All of them had their hearts ripped out. Earlier discoveries include human spines impaled on a cane or a mummy buried in an embryonic position.
The latest study of Peruvian burial traditions concerns painting the remains of the dead red. What was this custom supposed to symbolize?
What was the relationship of the Peruvian people with the dead?
The practice was not used throughout Peru. It is known that the bones and skulls of the dead were painted red by ancient people living in the Chincha Valley.
Archaeologists discovered remains in chullpas, or above-ground burial structures. Inside, larger groups of the dead were buried. Such tombs began to be built around 1000, and the design was replicated for more than 800 years.
