LIMA.-(EFE) Peruvian archaeologists said Wednesday that they found nine burial sites in a "huaca," a pre-Inca pyramid-like construction, in Lima's Magdalena del Mar neighborhood.

"There are nine individuals, one lying stretched out and the rest in a fetal position," archaeologist Roberto Quispe told Efe, adding that each of the bodies, which were discovered last week in the Huantille huaca, was covered with up to three cloth capes.

Along with the individuals buried in a fetal position were found ceramic vessels or gourd bowls.

Although more detailed analysis must still be done to determine their origin, it is presumed that the people who were buried there were members of the Ishma culture, which flourished between 1000 and 1400 along Peru's central coast and was centered on the town of Pachacamac, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Lima.

The individual buried lying on his back was interred during the last years that the Huantille huaca was used, Quispe said.

Since the excavations at Huantille were begun, about 20 bodies have been discovered there, along with 40 ceramic or gourd containers of various kinds and about 50 spinning spindles, among other pre-Inca objects.

The Huantille huaca has been partially restored at the initiative of the municipality of Magdalena del Mar and with the support of the National Institute of Culture.

Up until 2007, Huantille had been forgotten, buried under tons of ruins and trash and was the site of a brick manufacturing operation as well as being a haven for drug addicts. EFE