Gas line workers in made a stunning discovery in September when they unearthed eight pre-Inca mummies, while an American mummy, Stoneman Willie, will finally be buried after 128 years.
The findings shed light on the rich history of the Lima, Peru, which has been occupied for over 10,000 years by various cultures.
The mummies were found during excavation work conducted by Calidda, the company responsible for distributing natural gas in Lima.
Mummies Found In Peru
Over the past 19 years, Calidda’s excavation efforts have led to the discovery of more than 1,900 archaeological artifacts, including pottery, textiles, and more mummies.
Eight mummies that could be at least a thousand years old were found in Peru during gas works in Lima. These pre-Inca burial bundles are not the first discovery by the gas distribution company – it's already experienced several disruptions to its work due to similar findings. pic.twitter.com/zQIhqVgLGM
— RT (@RT_com) September 24, 2023
Lima is home to over 400 larger archaeological sites, known as “huacas” in the Indigenous Quechua language.
These adobe constructions are scattered throughout the urban landscape and are considered sacred places.
The newly discovered mummies are believed to belong to the pre-Inca culture called Ichma, which thrived from around A.D. 1100 until it was eventually incorporated into the Inca Empire in the late 15th century.
The mummies, wrapped in cotton cloth and tied with ropes braided from lianas, were found in trenches just 30 centimeters below the surface.
Archaeologists working on the site speculate that the bundles likely contain the remains of two adults and six minors.
The Real Identity Of Stoneman Willie
Meanwhile, an American mummy will finally get a proper burial after being put on display for visitors to ogle for 128 years.
A more than a century-old mystery surrounding the identity of a mummified man known as “Stoneman Willie” has finally been solved.
A mummified man knwn as Stoneman Willie, who was kpt on display at Auman's Funeral Home in Pennsylvania, for 128 years is set 2 be given a proper burial. Reuters reports that the unidentified man was an alcoholic who died of kidney failure in a local jail on Nov, 19 1895 #atmfey pic.twitter.com/XIyBeuvtBt
— Adebayo* (@AdebayoAwoleru) October 5, 2023
Auman’s Funeral Home in Pennsylvania has successfully identified the mummified remains, which have been on public display since 1895. The funeral home is now preparing to give Willie a proper burial on October 7.
Stoneman Willie Finally Goes Home
Visitors can pay Willie a final visit between 6-9 p.m. on October 6, before his body is transported to a local cemetery for the funeral ceremony.
The man behind the pseudonym “Stoneman Willie” was initially arrested for pickpocketing and provided a fake name, James Penn.
However, just before his death in Berks County Prison, Willie boldly confessed that “James Penn” was a false identity, which he used to protect the reputation of his brother and sister.
Due to the lack of information about his true identity, the police were unable to locate any family members to claim his body.
An alcoholic pickpocket — known affectionately as “Stoneman Willie” — who was accidentally mummified by a mortician trying out a new embalming technique will finally receive a proper burial after being on display at a Pennsylvania funeral home for 128 years pic.twitter.com/ql95WEBRKr
— Breakingnews (@janetking851241) October 3, 2023
How Stoneman Willie Went On Display
As a result, Auman’s Funeral Home took custody of the remains for over a century. The funeral home was granted special permission by Pennsylvania authorities to keep the body they accidentally mummified, as an opportunity to study the long-term effects of a unique embalming technique.
Funeral home director Kyle Blankenbiller said that after displaying Willie’s remains for years, “It felt good to finally find his identity,” and said that finally burying him was “the honorable thing to do.”
Willie will be dressed in attire from the 19th century during the October 7 burial ceremony, where they will reveal his true identity, which will be inscribed on his headstone.