Newly Discovered Rooms in Peru Suggest Ancient Society Was Ruled by Women

In September, archaeologists in Peru uncovered an elaborate throne room and hall that they believe could indicate that powerful women ruled more than 1,300 years ago.

The throne room and hall were found at Pañamarca, an archaeological site that was once a religious and political center of the ancient Moche culture. The hall is decorated with elaborate snake murals, and is even complete with a worn throne.

The paintings within the newly discovered chamber show a woman seated on the throne while receiving visitors. There are also depictions of a crown, the crescent moon, sea creatures, and a weaving workshop.

Dating to 650 CE, the throne showed signs of wear on its backrest. A human hair and colorful stones were found embedded in the throne. There are plans to perform a DNA analysis of the hair, though experts remain uncertain whether there is enough material to do so, according to a release the Pañamarca archaeological research program.

Another chamber, dubbed the Hall of the Braided Serpents, was also constructed with wide pillars and overlooked a plaza. It is decorated with paintings of large serpents with human legs, as well as images of warriors and an unidentified mythical creature. The motifs featured here are unlike those that can be seen in previously discovered Moche art, the research program said.

These finds reinforce experts’ consensus that Moche culture was not male-dominated, something that prior finds in the region have also suggested. Because the Moche lacked a formal writing system and many sites were looted since they held power, archaeological finds such as this one are how historians understand this people’s culture.

More could be revealed as archaeologists continue to excavate the site. Work on the main pyramid, for example, has yet to occur.