08/30/2026
What began as a routine police encounter in Puno, Peru, quickly turned into one of the most unusual archaeological discoveries in recent years. In 2023, officers noticed something unexpected inside a food delivery bag being carried by 26-year-old Julio César Bermejo. Instead of food, the bag contained a remarkably well-preserved pre-Hispanic mummy.
Bermejo told authorities that he had nicknamed the mummy "Juanita" and claimed he considered the ancient remains his "spiritual girlfriend." According to his account, the mummy had been in his family's possession for about 30 years after his father acquired it. He said it was normally kept in his bedroom and that he had only brought it along because friends wanted to see it.
After the discovery, specialists from Peru's Ministry of Culture carefully examined the remains. Their findings revealed an unexpected surprise. Despite being known as "Juanita" for many years, the mummy was not female. Researchers identified the remains as those of an adult male believed to have been at least 45 years old at the time of death.
Experts estimated that the mummy dated back approximately 600 to 800 years, making it an important archaeological artifact with significant historical value. Authorities confiscated the remains to ensure their proper preservation and opened an investigation into how such an important cultural object had come to be privately held.
The extraordinary incident drew worldwide attention because it combined an everyday police stop with an astonishing archaeological discovery. It also served as a reminder of the importance of protecting historical artifacts so they can be properly studied and preserved for future generations. Sometimes history appears in the most unexpected places—even inside an ordinary delivery bag.
