2,000-year-old burial discovered in Colombia

A ancient burial was found during the archaeological rescue that INCIVA is carrying out on the Cali - Yumbo highway, section Gecolsa - Dapa, near the junction that leads to the village of Dapa.

Credit: Inciva Patrimonio Vital

Jonathan Velasquez Alzate, Director in charge of INCIVA, reported that based on the initial findings this is a primary burial of approximately 2,000 years old that can be attributed to the Malagana or Yotoco culture since the area was the territorial boundary between the two tribes.

Credit: Inciva Patrimonio Vital

The skeletal remains are in supine position, accompanied by a medium sized bowl decorated with red paint.  Fragments of charcoal were also found.

Credit: Inciva Patrimonio Vital

The burial, located at a depth of 186 cm, is in a bad state of preservation due to the vibrations caused by the high traffic of vehicles on the road.

Credit: Inciva Patrimonio Vital

The new find confirms the presence of a pre-Hispanic cemetery in the area, which will have to be preserved as an important vestige of the cultural and archaeological heritage of Valle del Cauca.

Source: INCIVA [trsl. TANN, August 11, 2019]