Editing Archaeology of the Americas (section)

== Archaeological finds ==
[[File:Mexico-3487 - Avenue of the Dead (2214741272).jpg|thumb|The [[Teotihuacan#Site layout|Avenue of the Dead]] in [[Teotihuacan]]]]
[[File:Machu Picchu (7914096100).jpg|thumb|The iconic [[Machu Picchu]], symbol of the Inca civilization]]
[[File:Steinkreis Burnt Hill Massachusetts gross.jpg|thumb|Burnt Hill Stone Circle, [[Heath, Massachusetts]], United States]]
In February 2021, archaeologists from the [[University of Buenos Aires]]–[[National Scientific and Technical Research Council]] announced the discovery of 12 graves dated to 6,000–1,300 years ago in [[Argentine Northwest]]. Researchers also revealed necklaces and pendants next to some of the bodies. According to archaeologist Leticia Cortés, there were many kinds of [[burial]] methods, in individual or collective graves, and also in the posture of the bodies. Some were hyperflexed, like squatting, with the shoulders touching the knees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prehistoric Burials Excavated in Argentina - Archaeology Magazine|url=https://www.archaeology.org/news/9494-210301-argentina-prehistoric-burials#:~:text=CATAMARCA,%20ARGENTINA%E2%80%94Radio%20Cadena%20Agramonte,over%20the%20past%2015%20years.|access-date=2021-03-02|website=www.archaeology.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Six thousand-year-old tombs found in northwest Argentina|url=https://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/show/articles/32160:six-thousand-year-old-tombs-found-in-northwest-argentina|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Radio Cadena Agramonte|language=en|archive-date=2021-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302135311/https://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/show/articles/32160:six-thousand-year-old-tombs-found-in-northwest-argentina|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018, 9000-year-old remains of a female hunter along with a toolkit of [[projectile points]] and animal processing implements were discovered at the [[Andes|Andean]] site of Wilamaya Patjxa, [[Puno District]] in [[Peru]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wei-Haas|first=Maya|date=2020-11-04|title=Prehistoric female hunter discovery upends gender role assumptions|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/prehistoric-female-hunter-discovery-upends-gender-role-assumptions|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-06-13|website=National Geographic|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217213250/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/prehistoric-female-hunter-discovery-upends-gender-role-assumptions |archive-date=2021-02-17 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Haas |first1=Randall |last2=Watson |first2=James |last3=Buonasera |first3=Tammy |last4=Southon |first4=John |last5=Chen |first5=Jennifer C. |last6=Noe |first6=Sarah |last7=Smith |first7=Kevin |last8=Llave |first8=Carlos Viviano |last9=Eerkens |first9=Jelmer |last10=Parker |first10=Glendon |date=2020-11-06 |title=Female hunters of the early Americas |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abd0310 |journal=Science Advances |volume=6 |issue=45 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.abd0310 |pmid=33148651 |pmc=7673694 |bibcode=2020SciA....6..310H |s2cid=226261247 |issn=2375-2548}}</ref>

In September 2021, archaeologists announced the remains of eight 800-year-old bodies nearby ancient town of [[Chilca, Cañete|Chilca]]. Bodies included adults and children who were covered in plant material before being buried. Some dishes and musical instruments were uncovered as well. Researchers think remains belong to the Chilca culture, which was apart from other pre-Hispanic cultures in the area.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Paul|first=Jacob|date=2021-09-24|title=Gas pipe workers uncover remains of eight people buried inside 800-year-old tomb|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1496068/gas-pipe-workers-find-bodies-tomb-peru-lima-chilca-colombia-inca-andes-archaeology-news|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-22|title=Gas pipe workers find 800-year-old bodies in Peru|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210922-gas-pipe-workers-find-800-year-old-bodies-in-peru|access-date=2021-09-27|website=France 24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=800-Year-Old Tomb Discovered in Peru - Archaeology Magazine|url=https://www.archaeology.org/news/10012-210922-peru-chilca-tomb|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.archaeology.org}}</ref>

A mummy that is approximately 800 years old that is believed to be of pre-Inca cultures was found at the site of [[Cajamarquilla District|Cajamarquilla]] in [[Peru]] in November 2021. Researchers reported that the mummy was tied with strings, covering his face with his hands, so they assumed it was a southern Peruvian funeral custom.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Jeevan Ravindran|title=Peruvian mummy at least 800 years old found by archeologists in Lima|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/28/americas/peru-mummy-discovery-archeology-funeral-scn-scli-intl/index.html|access-date=2022-02-20|website=CNN|date=28 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=2021-11-27|title=Archaeologists unearth mummy estimated to be at least 800 years old in Peru|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/27/archaeologists-unearth-mummy-estimated-to-be-at-least-800-years-old-in-peru|access-date=2022-02-20|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> In February 2022, archaeologists announced the discovery of six mummified children thought to have been sacrificed, probably to accompany a dead elite man to the afterlife. According to archaeologist Pieter Van Dalen, 1,000-1,200 years old mummies were probably relatives and placed one above the other in different parts of the tomb.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2022-02-14|title=Ancient mummies of children, likely sacrificed, unearthed in Peru|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220214-ancient-mummies-of-children-likely-sacrificed-unearthed-in-peru|access-date=2022-02-20|website=France 24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Update on Mummified Human Remains Uncovered in Peru - Archaeology Magazine|url=https://www.archaeology.org/news/10366-220215-peru-mummified-remains#:~:text=Update%20on%20Mummified%20Human%20Remains%20Uncovered%20in%20Peru%20-%20Archaeology%20Magazine&text=LIMA,%20PERU%E2%80%94The%20AFP%20reports,occupied%20until%20about%20A.D.%201500.|access-date=2022-02-20|magazine=Archaeology Magazine}}</ref>

In May 2022, archaeologists reported the discovery of 1,400-year-old remains of the Mayan site so-called Xiol on the outskirts of [[Mérida, Yucatán|Mérida]]. They also uncovered a large central plaza and at least 12 buildings, workshops, burial places of adults and children, and an [[altar]] that served a ritual purpose.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kuta |first1=Sarah |title=Construction Crew Stumbles on 1,400-Year-Old Ruins of Maya City |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/construction-crew-stumbles-on-1400-year-old-ruins-of-maya-mayan-city-180980171/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-27 |title=Archaeologists discover ancient Mayan city on construction site |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/archaeologists-discover-ancient-mayan-city-construction-site-2022-05-27/ |access-date=2022-08-14}}</ref>

In June 2022, archaeologists from the Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced the discovery of a 1,300-year-old nine-inch-tall plaster head statue indicating a young [[Hun Hunahpu]], the Maya's mythological maize god. The figure's [[Tonsure|semi-shaved haircut]] that resembles ripe corn gives reason to the possibility that it is a young maize god. Researchers assume that the Mayan inhabitants of Palenque possibly placed a large stone statuette over a pond to represent the entrance to the underworld. According to archaeologist Arnoldo González Cruz, the Mayan people symbolically shuttered the pool by breaking up some of the plaster and filling it with animal remains, including pottery fragments, carved bone remains, shells, obsidian arrowheads, beads, vegetables, and others.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kuta |first1=Sarah |title=1,300-Year-Old Corn God Statue Shows How the Maya Worshipped Maize |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1300-year-old-corn-god-statue-shows-how-maya-worshipped-maize-180980206/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sculpted head of Mayan maize god uncovered in Mexico |first1=Ariella |last1=Marsden |date= 2022-06-04|url=https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-708570 |access-date=2022-08-10 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}</ref>