Archaeologists uncover mass burial site in Peru The site, situated 20 miles south of Lima, is currently under review for UNESCO World Heritage status, and is one of the largest and most important pre-Hispanic sites in South America. It was first settled around AD 200 and ruled over by the Ychsma (pronounced eesh-ma) lords from AD 900 until it was taken over by the Inca around 1470. The 20-metre long tomb is thought to date from around AD 1000 and is the largest one yet to be discovered in Pachacamac. It contains the remains of around 70 skeletons wearing false wooden heads, and a dozen new born babies and infants. Professor Peter Eeckhout, who led the team of archaeologists from the Université Libre in Brussels, believes the bones may be the remains of individuals who travelled to Pachacamac in search of a medical cure. He also suggested that the infants may have been part of a ritual human sacrifice. The burial contains remains from all ages and both sexes, and the discovery is considered significant, with experts hoping it will improve their understanding of the Ychsma people. It may provide further impetus for Pachacamac to be named a World Heritage Site, a process that has stalled due to disputes over the site's boundaries. This would help ensure the ruins' protection from the rapidly increasing population of Lima, which now stands at around eight million. Tour operators that include visits to the Pachacamac site as part of their itineraries include Explore and Viator.