Shocking discovery of 3,000-year-old ancient mask in Argentina

Argentine archaeologists announced on June 8 the discovery of a rectangular bronze human mask dating back 3,000 years in the Andes Mountains, casting doubt on the theory that Peru was the starting point of pre-Columbian metallurgy in South America.

This is the oldest man-made bronze object found in the area. However, the greatest concern for archaeologists is the ancient mask discovered in the Cajon Valley, located in the Andes Mountains in northwestern Argentina.

The mask was used in a funeral 3,000 years ago, during the period when humans abandoned the nomadic life of hunting and gathering and began to settle permanently with farming and animal husbandry.

Front (left) and back (right) of the mask. (Source: dailymail.co.uk).

The ancient mask is 18cm long and 15cm wide, handcrafted, curved from the center outwards with holes for the eyes, nose, mouth and smaller holes at the edges to hold the face.

Rainwater revealed the mask along with 14 ancient human skeletons gathered in a tomb near La Quebrada province, northwest Argentina.

Nearby, scientists also discovered a second burial site, but only contained the remains of a 12-year-old child dating back 3,000 years.

In addition, experts also discovered a copper ore mine nearly 70km from the Cajon Valley, where the ancient mask was found. The discovery suggests that the mask was made there and that metallurgy likely began in Argentina, not in Peru as previous research has shown.

Previously, many bronze artifacts dating back about 1,000 years were found in the Andes Mountains of Peru. However, archaeologists have not yet determined whether these items were produced here or brought to Peru through trade activities.

According to VNA