Laguna de las Momias, Archaeological lake in Chachapoyas, Peru.
Laguna de las Momias is a mountain lake in the Andes surrounded by natural caves that house ancient burial chambers. The lake sits at about 2900 meters elevation and contains more than 200 mummies from the Chachapoya people.
The site was discovered in 1997 and is known for ancient burial temples from the Chachapoya culture dating between 800 and 1570. The mummies and burial chambers show that this region was an important funeral center for many centuries.
The burial structures display square-shaped buildings decorated with painted walls showing burial scenes and mysterious symbols. These artistic details reveal how ancient people in this area honored and remembered their dead.
The site can be reached by a full day hike from nearby towns or by car in approximately two hours. Visitors should prepare for mountainous terrain and changing weather conditions typical of high-altitude locations.
The burial structures feature a two-level design with upper windows that allowed air circulation and protected the mummies from moisture. This thoughtful engineering reveals advanced understanding of natural preservation methods.
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