Archaeologists studying the Bellavista pyramid in Lima, which dates back to 1100 AD, have discovered human remains that have been identified as Chinese. Even more mysterious, 16 skeletons appear to have been placed there in the late 1800s. How could this happen?
Before we dive into this pyramid mystery, let's take a look at the Peruvian pyramids. The local word for these structures is Huaca and are found throughout Peru, from the jungle to the capital city of Lima, where there are many. They were built by peoples from pre-Colombian cultures in the area, primarily as religious or cultural centers, and were used as tombs for elite members of society. Huaki were in use before the arrival of the Europeans, when they were either destroyed or abandoned after being labeled as "pagan" symbols. Fortunately, the Ministry of Culture of Peru and especially the government of Lima are working to preserve the remaining huakis, sometimes just by shielding them, and also digging up and preserving their content for study.
This brings us to the pyramid or huake in the Bellavista area of Peru. According to Roxana Gomez, a leading archaeologist, this huaqa, along with at least 15 others, belonged to the Ichma culture, which lived in the area 1000 to 1400 years ago when it was absorbed by the Incas. Under no circumstances does history show any contact between Ichma and China. So this week, the Ministry of Culture reported that the find of 16 Chinese skeletons was a shock, but not for reasons you might think.
Peru, along with many other South American countries, made extensive use of slave labor until the practice was abolished in 1854. As in North America, it was often replaced by forced slavery. Peruvian cotton farmers "hired" Chinese workers until the 20th century, when they were replaced by machines. Unsurprisingly, a country so dependent on slaves and migrant workers did not allow them to be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Thus, the Chinese, knowing the religious purpose of the abandoned Huaks, used them for their burials.
"In one Chinese coffin, an opium trumpet and a small ceramic vessel were included in the burial ensemble." According to the Peruvian news agency, Gomez found that 11 corpses were buried in shrouds, but five buried later were in wooden coffins with thinner clothing and accessories. Will more Chinese skeletons be found buried in the Peruvian pyramids? Will hope. They will help you learn a lesson that humans don't seem to have learned yet.