Archaeologists unearth body of 5,000 year-old woman in former dump

Archaeologists have announced the discovery of 5,000-year-old remains apparently belonging to a high-society woman from an ancient Peruvian civilization.

"This is an important burial because it has elements that correspond to a woman of high status," said Palomino. 

It is estimated the woman would have died while she was between 20 and 35 years old.

Researchers, however, are unclear about the exact date of the burial.

Palomino said the tomb was also surrounded by baskets with offerings, vases, gourds and a toucan's beak, according to Reuters.

He said the discovery showed that "not only men had an important association in this civilization, but this was also complementary with that of women."

(WARNING: graphic image below) 

Caral is known as the oldest center of civilization in the Americas, according to the UN's World Heritage website.

The city dates back to the Late Archaic Period of the Central Andes, the website notes.

About 3,000 people are believed to have lived in Caral.

It's known as one of the six sites where civilization separately originated in the ancient world, according to Lumen Learning. 

"The Sacred City of Caral-Supe reflects the rise of civilization in the Americas," said the UNESCO site. "As a fully developed socio-political state, it is remarkable for its complexity and its impact on developing settlements throughout the Supe Valley and beyond."

Reuters contributed reporting to this article.