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Archaeologists in Panama find ancient tomb filled with gold treasure — and sacrificial victims
Researchers have uncovered an ancient lord's tomb filled with gold treasure —and sacrificial victims— at an archaeological park in Panama, officials revealed on Friday. The tomb, estimated to be about 1,200 years old, marks the area where an elite chief was buried along with possibly dozens of people who died to accompany him to the "beyond," the nation's culture ministry said in a news release.
Inside the grave at El Caño Archaeological Park, scientists discovered an array of gold treasures, including bracelets, two belts made with gold beads, crocodile-shaped earrings, gold-covered sperm whale teeth earrings and circular gold plates. Archaeologists also unearthed earrings in the shape of a man and a woman, two bells, skirts made with dog teeth, and a set of bone flutes.
The grave likely belonged to a high-status chief from the local Coclé culture who was in his 30s, the El Caño Foundation said in a Facebook post. The foundation also posted video of the treasures.
Dr. Julia Mayo, director of the foundation and leader of the archaeological project, said that in addition to the lord, the tomb also contains up to 31 other people who were "sacrificed to serve as companions."
Mayo said the excavation of the burial site was not yet complete so it could not be determined how many people were in the tomb. She said the lord had been buried face down, which was typical of this type of burial, on top of the body of a woman.
Linette Montenegro, national director of heritage at the Ministry of Culture, said that excavation at the archaeological park began in 2022. Montenegro said that the gold and artifacts found in the tomb "have not only economic value, but also incalculable historical and cultural value."
El Caño Archaeological Park was a necropolis that was built around 700 AD and abandoned around 1000 AD, the ministry said. It is located in Coclé province, about 100 miles southwest of Panama City.
注释：
bead: n
表示" 珠子；滴"，means " a small ball of wood,glass or other material with a hole through it for threading with others on a string or wire"，如：The hat was decorated with colored beads. 那顶帽子上饰有彩色珠子。
necropolis: n
表示" 大墓地"，means "a tract of land used for burial"，如：Ghost Dragons are the most powerful creature of the Necropolis. 幽灵龙是墓地里最强大的生物。
中文简要说明：
巴拿马文化部日前公布，考古团队在境内一处园区发现一座古代领主的坟墓，距今约1200年前，满是黄金珍宝，还有多具活人殉葬遗骸，估计陪葬者可能有好几十人，遗骨已掘出31具。文化部表示，这座领主之墓挖掘作业尚未完成，历史与文化价值极大。
综合美国哥伦比亚新闻网（CBS News）、福斯新闻网（Fox News）报导，巴拿马文化部本月近日发布新闻稿说明，这座古墓在境内科克莱省（Coclé）埃尔卡尼奥（El Caño）考古园区出土，兴建年代介于公元750年至800年，当时哥伦布尚未发现美洲新大陆，中美洲还未进入西班牙人统治时期。
考古团队在墓室发现多种黄金制成的饰品与器具，包括圆盘、圆珠串成的腰带、鳄鱼形耳环、镀金的抹香鲸齿耳环、手镯、人类男女形状的耳环、铃铛，还有骨骼制成的笛子、狗的牙齿智成的裙子与镯子、陶器等等。
专家分析，墓主是一名活了30多岁的男性，墓里堆了好几十名陪葬者的遗体。考古学家指出，古代社会地位崇高者，陪葬人数从8人到32人不等，当时的人们认为，这些陪葬者能帮助亡者抵达来世。不过，这座领主之墓挖掘工作尚未完成，因此确切陪葬人数暂时未知。
这名领主是以面朝下的姿势安葬，这在当时是常见的埋葬方式，通常死者遗体会放在一名女性的上方。
位于巴拿马首都巴拿马市以南的埃尔卡尼奥园区，是一处「大科克莱」（Gran Coclé）文化时期的墓园遗址，这个文化时期从公元前200年至公元1550年存在于中美洲，以独特艺术风格闻名。这处遗址建于公元700年左右，公元1000年前后废弃。挖掘工作从2022年开始进行。
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