Archaeologists uncover unlooted Peruvian royal tombs (video)

Archaeologists in South America have discovered the first undisturbed tomb of the ancient and mysterious Wari civilisation, unearthing the mummified bodies of three Queens alongside golden treasures and macabre human sacrifices, the Daily Mail reported.

The 1,200-year-old 'temple of the dead' was found at the El Castillo de Huarmey site, a four-hour drive north of the Pruvian capital Lima.

It provides a wealth of information about the enigmatic Wari empire that ruled the Andes long before their better-known Incan successors.

“For the first time in the history of archeology in Peru we have found an imperial tomb that belongs to the Wari empire and culture," lead archeologist Milosz Giersz, of the joint Polish-Peruvian team, said.

Researchers said most of the bodies found in the burial chamber were mummified women sitting upright - indicating royalty and suggesting Wari women held more power than previously thought.

The Wari, who came from Peru’s southern highlands and ruled a vast area of the country from 500 to 1000 AD, conducted multiple burials and sent their loved ones into the afterlife with provisions and the tools of their trade.

“The women were buried with finely engraved ear pieces made of precious metals that once were believed to be used only by men,' archaeologist Patrycja Przadk said.

Among the other artfacts discopvered alongside the mummfied queens were weaving tools made of gold, ritual kinives and axes, drinking cups, coca leaf containers and an array of beautifully decorated ceramics.

Historians believe the Wari, who ruled between 600 and 1100 A.D., were the first people to unite diverse tribes into a sophisticated network across most of today's Peruvian Andes.

Bioarchaeologist Wieslaw Wieckowski said six skeletons were not wrapped in textiles and appear to have been human sacrifices for the mummified elite.

“They were people thrown into the grave before the grave was sealed,' he said. 'They were lying on their bellies, in an extended position and their limbs went in different directions.'

Archaeologists told National Geographic that they kept their work quiet for fear grave robbers would pick the site clean.