Mysterious treasure-filled tomb uncovered: Dozens of people buried alive

Along with the deceased, 30 more people were buried as sacrifices to the gods.

Researchers have discovered the tomb of an ancient ruler filled with golden treasures at an archaeological park in Panama, officials said. The tomb, estimated to be around 1,200 years old, contained the burial of a privileged leader along with dozens of people. This was an act of sacrifice, and the supposed warriors died to accompany the leader to the “afterlife.”

Archaeologists discovered a treasure-filled tomb during excavations in the El Caño archaeological park, Panama’s Ministry of Culture said.

Inside the tomb, scientists found numerous gold treasures, including bracelets, two belts decorated with beads, crocodile-shaped earrings made from sperm whale teeth and round gold plates. Scientists also unearthed earrings in the shape of a man and a woman and a set of bone flutes.

“The grave probably belonged to a high-ranking local cultural figure, Cocle, who was in his 30s,” the El Caño Foundation said in a statement.

The foundation’s director and archaeological project leader, Julia Mayo, noted that in addition to the deceased, the tomb also contains about 30 people who were “sacrificed to serve as companions.”

Mayo stressed that excavations at the burial site have not yet been completed, so it is impossible to determine how many people were in the tomb. She claims that the chief was buried face down, as is typical for this type of burial, on top of the body of a woman.

National Director of Heritage at the Ministry of Culture Lynette Montenegro said excavations at the archaeological park began in 2022. Montenegro said the gold and artifacts found in the tomb “have not only economic value, but also incalculable historical and cultural value.”

The El Caño Archaeological Park was a necropolis that was built around 700 AD and abandoned around 1000 AD, the ministry said.