The Mayan Xena

The mummy of woman who died 1,600 years ago, well before the rise of the Incas, was discovered today.

Her tomb suggests someone of high status. The body is covered with red pigment and bears tattoos of patterns and mythological figures.

Archaeologists in Peru said that the surprising element of the tomb is not the offerings of gold and semiprecious stones or the elaborate wrapping of the body in fine textiles, not the fact that they believe that the tomb had been undisturbed since approximately 450 AD...but it is the other grave items...

She was surrounded by weaving materials and needles, befitting a woman, AND...two ceremonial war clubs and 28 spear throwers (sticks that propel spears with far greater force ). These items have never been found before in the burial of a woman of the Moche.

Was she a warrior princess?

Lying near her was the skeleton of another young woman who was apparently sacrificed by strangulation with a hemp rope, which was still around her neck. (read- Gabrielle)

It will remain a mystery until they discover the Moche chakram.