Mummified male body, South American, 800-1400

This preserved mummy is from the north coast of Peru. He was a member of the Chimu culture, which flourished from around 1100 CE until it was absorbed into the Inca civilisation in the late 1400s.

On burial, the body would have been seated in an upright position, with the knees at the face. It was often then wrapped in layers of fabric and sometimes a false head would be attached to the bundle – any such wrappings are absent in this example. The body was then buried with personal possessions, ritual objects and food offerings, revealing a strong belief in a continuing existence after death.