Mochica culture artifacts discovered at Huaca Santa Ana in Peru

Archaeological excavations at the Huaca Santa Ana site in the La Libertad region of Peru have revealed significant findings related to the Mochica culture. After 27 years of research in the El Chaparral area, researchers identified three major historical elements.

One discovery includes samples of ulluchus seeds, a pre-Hispanic fruit with anticoagulant properties. Specialist Belkys Gutiérrez León noted that these seeds likely played a ritual role in Mochica ceremonies involving blood, as they prevented coagulation. These samples are scheduled for specialized phytochemical analysis in France.

Additionally, the expedition recovered ten unique clay human faces. These modeled faces are decorated with paint and exhibit distinct stylistic variations in facial features, eyes, noses, and ear ornaments, a find described as unprecedented for the Mochica culture.