The Peruvian police arrested a man over the weekend carrying a centuries-old mummy in a bag intended for food deliveries, according to the country’s Ministry of Culture. The man, identified as 26-year-old Julio Bramjo, called the mummy “Juanita” and referred to her ancient remains as his “spiritual partner,” according to Agence France-Presse.
“She is with me everywhere. At home, in my room, she sleeps with me at night, I take care of her,” Bramjo explained in an interview with the local media. It is not clear whether the 26-year-old was aware that the mummy was actually a man who probably lived 600 or 800 years ago in the southern region of Puno, according to Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
Various cultures began practicing embalming processes in Peru more than 7,000 years ago, according to the American Museum of Natural History. The country is home to many archaeological sites, chief among them Machu Picchu. Peru’s Ministry of Culture took custody of the mummy last weekend “to preserve its legacy.”
Bermajo, who claimed his father brought the mummy home three decades ago, is now in custody while authorities investigate the case, according to Agence France-Presse.