THE STRANGE SARCOPHAGES OF KARAJIA

 

These strange anthropomorphic shaped sarcophagi are unique in Peruvian culture, they were found in 1985 by the Peruvian archaeologist FEDERICO KAUFMAN DOIG on a dangerous cliff almost 30 meters high, its difficult access prevented it from being looted by treasure hunters, it is believed to belong to regional lordships called LUYA and CHILLAOS that developed in the province of Luya in the AMAZONAS region between the 11th and 15th centuries AD. 51 kilometers from the city of Chachapoyas and 1,230 km from Lima in the northeastern part of Peru.

These peoples were later conquered by the CHACHAPOYAS who respected the funerary traditions of these peoples annexed to the great civilization of the Chachapoyas, the sarcophagi measure 2.5 meters high and inside were found mummies and funerary offerings, funerary trousseaus, they are built of clay, dry straw, bamboo, wood, ropes made of vegetables and small stones were placed as a base of each sarcophagus. 

 

For the final finish they used red and white colored clays as decoration, the Chachapoyas had great respect for their dead, considering that no one should disturb their journey to the other world and that their remains had to be preserved in the most incredible and difficult places to reach for anyone, that is why their sarcophagi were hidden in caves and cliffs that made it impossible to locate them with the naked eye.

 

The funerary context is very particular and imbued with an air of mysticism. The Karajia sarcophagi are oriented toward the east, looking at the horizon as if they were the guardians of this valley. According to oral sources that have been transmitted for centuries, the term "KARAJIA" comes from the song of a local bird called "KARARAJ." To differentiate the sex of their mummies, the ancient Chachapoyas drew male and female genitalia on each sarcophagus.

The site can be visited year-round. There are travel agencies in the city of Chachapoyas that offer different tours to explore the area. Access is via a narrow bridleway that leads to a small hill from where we can see these strange sarcophagi that guard the site with their gaze.