THE mummified remains of an ancient “elite Inca” man have been unwrapped by scientists in Peru, dating back 600 years. The excavation and taking apart of the mummy was carefully carried out by experts who sliced through the remains, making sure not to damage the piece of history inside. Consideration was required as the mummy wasn’t regularly shaped – instead appearing bulbous and cylindrical.

Also different were the materials the body was wrapped in, being enclosed in a funeral bundle as opposed to the traditional wraps seen in other parts of South America and Egypt.

Researchers and experts from the Museum of Tucume in Peru examined the unusual human parcel, which was discovered in an area of Tucume known as Huaca Las Abejas.

In a video published by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, museum spokeswoman, Bernardo Delgado Elias, said: “The skull area is protected by additional clothing. Moreover, there was cotton placed between the skull and the clothing.”

She added: “This means they were very careful during the embalming process, which suggests he may have been a nobleman during that time.”

Archaeologist Manuel Escudero Villalta said: “The embalming process, clothes and offerings make us believe he was a member of the Incan elite in Tucume.”

The funeral bundle was said to be wrapped in a cover that was decorated in ancient symbols.

A similar bundle was found in the same area during excavations between 1989 and 1992.

This parcel also featured an artistic cover closely related to the one recently found.

Experts planned to conduct tests on the Inca man found inside the parcel in order to learn about who he was and the time he hailed from when it was discovered in December.

The man’s skeletal remains were examined, as well as the objects found around them.

No reports have since emerged concerning the test’s results.

Tucume is thought to have once been a major social hub between 1350 and 1450 AD when it was inhabited by the Chimu civilisation.