The tomb of a prominent Coclé lord, dating back to the pre-Hispanic era (750-800 AD), has been unearthed within the archaeological park of El Caño, nestled in the district of Natá, in the province of Coclé.
Linette Montenegro, the esteemed national director of Heritage at the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura), illuminated the ongoing excavation efforts during the summer months at the El Caño Foundation, in conjunction with the Ministry, focusing on Tomb No. 9 within the National Archaeological Park.
This ambitious endeavor forms part of a comprehensive long-term initiative initiated during the dry season of 2022, under the auspices of the “Cultural Cooperation Agreement No. 025-2021” forged between the Ministry of Culture and the El Caño Foundation, earmarking resources for the “Archaeological Project El Caño, 2021-2024 campaigns.”
Montenegro underscored the significance of the discoveries within Tomb No. 9, noting the prevalence of ceramic artifacts and the unearthing of gold pieces forming part of the funerary ensemble—a trove possessing not only economic value but also imbued with inestimable historical and cultural significance.
The sumptuous trousseau unveiled within the tomb comprises a dazzling array of treasures, including 5 resplendent pectorals, 2 opulent belts adorned with spherical gold beads, 4 intricately wrought bracelets, 2 earrings fashioned in the likeness of human figures (depicting a man and a woman), an earring fashioned in the form of a double crocodile, 1 necklace embellished with petite circular beads, 5 earrings crafted from sperm whale teeth enveloped in golden casings, a set of circular gold plates, two resounding bells, bracelets, and skirts crafted from dog teeth, alongside a collection of bone flutes.
Meanwhile, Dr. Julia Mayo, venerable director of the El Caño Foundation and steward of the archaeological project for the past 18 years, elucidated the potential origins of this opulent assemblage, suggesting that it may have belonged to a distinguished adult male hailing from the Rio chiefdom.
Dr. Mayo further expounded that the construction of the tomb, circa 750 AD, signified the interment of a revered lord, accompanied by individuals who perished to accompany him on his journey to the afterlife.
The excavation, though ongoing, has revealed tantalizing insights into burial customs, notably the common practice of burying individuals face down, atop the body of a woman—a reflection of societal norms prevalent within this ancient civilization.
The El Caño site, established around 700 AD, served as a necropolis or city of the dead, characterized by monoliths, a cemetery, and ceremonial precincts featuring wooden structures—a testament to the rich tapestry of rituals and beliefs permeating ancient Coclé society.
This discovery is particularly noteworthy for its depiction of multiple simultaneous burials, wherein high-status individuals were interred alongside sacrificial companions, shedding light on the intricate funerary customs and societal dynamics of pre-Hispanic Coclé civilization.
Source: Ministry of Culture of Panama