Authorities in Peru have intercepted an ancient human mummy, estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old, which was in the possession of an individual formerly employed in food delivery. This individual stated that the artifact had been kept at his residence for approximately three decades.
The human remains were discovered within the insulated carrier bag that the man had previously utilized for transporting meals to customers.
According to information relayed to AFP on Tuesday by a government spokesperson, the individual in question, identified as 26-year-old Julio Cesar Bermejo, will remain in custody pending a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
Mr. Bermejo communicated with local news outlets, referring to the mummified figure he referred to as “Juanita,” and described the artifact as being “like my spiritual girlfriend.”
“She resides in my chamber at home, and she sleeps alongside me. I am responsible for her care,” he stated in a video clip that subsequently gained widespread attention on social media platforms.
Mr. Bermejo indicated that his father had brought the mummified remains into their household nearly thirty years prior.
The Ministry of Culture has reported that the pre-Hispanic artifact constitutes a “mummified adult male individual, presumably originating from the eastern sector of Puno,” a province situated in the Peruvian Andes, approximately 1,300 kilometers (exceeding 800 miles) southeast of the capital city, Lima.
“It is not a ‘Juanita,’ but rather a ‘Juan’,” a specialist from the ministry affirmed, further specifying that the mummy belonged to a male individual who was at least 45 years of age.
The cadaver was found swathed in bandages and positioned in a fetal posture.
Law enforcement officials discovered the remains within Mr. Bermejo’s delivery bag on Saturday, while conducting patrols in a public park within the city of Puno, where he had been socializing with acquaintances.
He maintained his innocence regarding any intent to peddle the mummy, asserting that he was transporting it because “my friends wanted to see it.”
The ministry responsible for cultural affairs announced its assumption of custody over the mummified remains, “with the objective of safeguarding and preserving this significant heritage.”
Peru boasts an abundance of archaeological sites and historical objects. Its most frequented tourist attraction is the renowned Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, an architectural marvel constructed in the 15th century in proximity to Cusco.
