Mass grave casts light on our past

A recently discovered mass grave in El Caño (Cocle province) has confirmed the existence of funerary rituals in the necropolis of the archaeological site. Named with reference T7, the site has cast light on the pre-Colombian civilization the existed in this central region of the Panamanian isthmus. Specifically, it has pointed to the existence of funerary rituals of infants, showing that starting in 900 AD and after 1000 AD, social status was inherited.

The results of these important findings have been summed up in a report by the Centre for Archaeological Investigation of the El Caño Foundation entitled “Tomb T7 in the El Caño necropolis, Gran Coclé Archaeological tradition, Panamanian isthmus”. All the contents of the tomb are visible online at www.oda-fec.org/nata.

The discovery of six previous funerary sites had already cast some light on the hierarchical civilization known as Gran Coclé in Central Panama. Back in the 1930s, in the Sitio Conte archaeological site, multiple discoveries had shown how the area of the Parita Bay had seen important social and economic developments starting from 700 AD.

Julia Mayo, a local archaeologist, explains how the findings in tomb T7 confirm the existence of patterns in the El Caño necropolis which were first detected in earlier excavations. Namely:
1) Mass graves pointing to the existence of collective suicides of human sacrifices;

2) Funerary artefacts suggesting that burials were somewhat elaborated ceremonies.

“We have found objects meant as offerings, and even evidence of human offerings”, she said, adding that “not all funerary rituals were the same – they actually depended on the social status of the dead”.  

Ms. Mayo also confirmed the likelihood that we’re in the presence of human sacrifices. “It is highly probable that some of the human remains belonged to human sacrifices that were meant to accompany the dead, and who were either sacrificed or compelled to commit suicide – that is, without discarding the possibility of mass burials as a result of epidemics of war”, she explained.

One more interesting findings of tomb T7, is the existence of funerals meant for the elite. Additionally, pots containing the remains of guentheridia formosa and sphoeroides annulatus, as well as two species of monkfish containing tetradotoxine, a highly toxic substance, were discovered on site.

The sculptural of representation of the sacrifice of a captive, some 50 metres northeast of tombs T1, T2, T5 and T6, lends credence to the tradition of human sacrifices in the burial of tribal chiefs.

Ms. Mayo goes on to explain that "the findings of both El Caño and Sitio Conte seem to suggest that the practice of human sacrifices or collective suicides occurred as part of rituals burials of important figures”.

The necropolis is part of the archaeological park of Grande Cocle, located 2.5 kilometres north of Sitio Conte. Both sides are located in the middle of an expansive flood plain crossed by rivers Cocle del Sur, Chico and Santa María.

In addition to the necropolis, the archaeological sites offer multiple treasures: an avenue with river stones 4 1/2 metres wide; a series of 37 stone sculptures; two altars and two basaltic columns decorated in low reliefs.. all of it quite spectacular.

The first tombs, T1 and T2, were discovered between the years 2007 and 2009, while T5 and T6 were uncovered between 2013 and 2015. Ironically, tomb T7 only required three months of excavation to yield its treasures: archaeologists took advantage of the dry season in 2014 and 2015 to complete their works. Interestingly, the bed of the tomb was covered in a clay rich soil of dark grey and blood red hues: perhaps a sign of what they were about to unearth!
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Gold findings revive Panama’s El Dorado
Towards the end of last year, archaeologists came upon the most important discovery of the past 70 years in El Caño - something that National Geographic dubbed “Panama's El Dorado”.

Led by Panamanian archaeologist Julia Mayo, the excavations uncovered large amounts of gold artefacts as well as precious stones. The findings were reminiscent of the treasures of the mythical city that was sought out by the Spanish conquistadores. “I was actually frightened and speechless to find so much gold”, says Mayo to the National Geographic.

The archaeological site was established in 2006 and covered 5000 square meters.