At ancient pyramid in Peru, remains of 20th century Chinese labourers found

Archaeologist works at a tomb of one of sixteen Chinese migrants, discovered buried at the turn of the 20th century in the pre-colombian pyramid of Bellavista, according to Ministry of Culture, in Lima, Peru, August 24, 2017. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo

LIMA (Reuters) - Archaeologists exploring Peru's pre-Colombian past recently unearthed a glimpse of a less prominent chapter in the Andean country's history - the remains of 16 Chinese labourers from around the turn of the last century.

The bodies, thought to be those of indentured workers brought to Peru to replace slave labour, were found buried at the top of an adobe pyramid first used by the ancient Ichma people, Roxana Gomez, the lead archaeologist of the site, said on Thursday.