Archaeologists uncover tomb of a Gran Coclé lord in southern Panama.

Archaeologists from the El Caño Foundation have uncovered a tomb which they interpret as belonging to a lord or other important figure from the Gran Coclé culture within the El Caño Archaeological Park in Coclé Province, southern Panama, according to a press release issued by the Panamanian Ministry of Culture. The tomb is thought to date to between 750 AD and 800 AD, and contains a variety of gold and ceramic objects, as well as an elaborate funerary trousseau (burial costume) comprising five pectorals (large medallions work on a necklace in the centre of the breast), two belts of spherical gold beads, four bracelets, two earrings in the shape of human figures (a man and a woman), an earring in the shape of a double crocodile, a necklace of small circular beads, five earrings made with sperm whale teeth with gold covers, a set of circular gold plates, two bells, bracelets and skirts made with dog teeth and a set of bone flutes.

Gold items recovered from the tomb of a Gran Coclé lord excavated within the El Caño Archaeological Park. Panamanian Ministry of Culture.

Most notably, and in common with other burials associated with important people of the Gran Coclé culture, the main occupant of the tomb was not buried alone, but with a number of companions. Previous excavations of such tombs have found between eight and thirty two people buried in addition to the main occupant, who were presumably either sacrificed at the time of the tomb owner's death, or had died previously and been stored elsewhere until the main burial. The tomb has not yet been completely excavated, so it is unclear how many additional bodies there are. What is noteworthy is that the  main  occupant of the tomb was buried face down (common for important Gran Coclé figures) on top of the body of a woman.

An earing in the shape of a man uncovered during the excavation of the tomb of a Gran Coclé lord. Panamanian Ministry of Culture.

The El Caño Archaeological Park contains a series of funerary sites associated with the Gran Coclé culture, dated to between 700 AD and 1000 AD. The site has been excavated intermittently since it was discovered in 1925, and is considered to be Panama's most important archaeological site as well as a major tourist attraction, making an important contribution to the economy of the region.

Further gold items excavated from the tomb of a Gran Coclé lord. Panamanian Ministry of Culture.

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