Archaeologists uncovered two 'battle claws' that are believed to be over 1,500 years old. While exploring the archaeological site of Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon), the search of a nobleman's tomb yielded the discovery.
The Huaca de la Luna is located in Trujillo, the capital city of the ancient Moche civilization that once flourished in South America between 100 and 800 AD. The metal cat's claws, according to the archaeologists, may have been part of a ritual costume used in ceremonial combat based on the other items they uncovered: copper scepter, bronze earrings, a mask, and feline jaws. These items suggest the nobleman was an "elite personage."
The Peruvian newspaper, El Comercio, was able to interview Ricardo Morales, who is the co-director of the Archaeological Project of Huaca del Sol and Luna. He said that the remains of the nobleman's skeleton will be reviewed by a U.S. coroner to determine more about his age, which will also help them estimate what time period these ancient artifacts hail from. The archaeologists believe that the man was a participant in this ceremonial combat, where participants dressed in outfits made of animal skins. The loser of the combat was sacrificed to the gods and the winner retained the costume as a mark of distinction.
The Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna are both two giant structures that still remain from the Moche civilization. The Huaca del Sol is a causeway and stepped pyramid that is 1,090 feet by 446 feet at the base and stands 135 feet high. The Huaca de la Luna is a terraced platform built against a hillside with large rooms and courtyards, indicating that there was much occupation during the Moche reign. The civilization's settlement is believed to have extended 215 miles along the coast of Peru.
Additionally, according to the archaeologists, the Moche religion was known for human sacrifices, including these ceremonial combats. They noted that ritual battles occurred amongst the elite, which were used to determine the victims of sacrifice. More information about the ancient artifacts will be known once the coroner examines the nobleman's remains.
You can read more about the discovery of the ancient battle claws in this Independent news article.
