Archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) and the free University of Brussels found near the North-Eastern shore of lake Titicaca (located on the border of Peru and Bolivia) 500-year-old stone box, according to SCI News.
According to the publication, there was a llama, carved from seashells and a small cylindrical object, covered in gold foil. Most likely, they were intended for a ritual sacrifice by the Incas.
In the XV – XVI centuries, their Empire stretched all the Andes, and one of the Central places was lake Titicaca. This region was important for residents not only rich in natural resources and strategic location, but had a sacred significance. The Incas claimed to have occurred in these places.
"We knew they were doing something ritualistic offerings, commented Dr. Jose M. Capriles, a researcher at the Department of anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. – Chronicles of the XVI – XVII centuries indicate that it was underwater victims".
Discovered box just proves this theory. On its sides carved small holes and notches, which probably held the rope so that the subject could be lowered into the water from a boat or raft.
According to archaeologists, this discovery is important for science. With its help, they will try to establish the relationship between the Inca Empire and the local communities living on lake Titicaca before these places were invaded by Europeans.
However, the underwater world is still unexplored, therefore, as noted by Dr. Christoph döhler from the free University of Brussels, scientists waiting for "a lot of surprises".
