The Lady of Cao is believed to have ruled over a desert valley in ancient Peru

A former priestess, the Lady of Cao, can now be seen in a replica of her face, which was unveiled in Lima. Photo / video El Brujo

She died in her 20s about 1700 years ago and is believed to have ruled over a desert valley in ancient Peru, where her elaborately tattooed body was buried with weapons and gold objects.

But a glimpse of the former priestess, the Lady of Cao, can now be seen in a replica of her face, which was unveiled in Lima.

Using 3D imaging technology and forensics archaeology, the replica was based on the mummified remains of the Lady of Cao's skull and ethnographic research, and took 10 months to create, Peru's Culture Ministry says.

Culture Minister Salvador del Solar says the goal was to bring the world closer to one of Peru's best archaeological finds and remind Peruvians of their rich cultural heritage.

"Its relevance is really incalculable," del Solar said of the oval-shaped face with high cheekbones on display under a golden crown. "We can now show the world her face, a face that Peruvians see ourselves in."

The discovery of the Lady of Cao's mummified remains in 2005 shattered the belief the ancient Moche society, which occupied the Chicama Valley from about AD100 to AD700, was patriarchal.

Several Moche female mummies have been found since in graves with objects denoting a high political and religious standing.

Archaeologists believe the Lady of Cao died due to complications of childbirth but otherwise lived a healthy life. Her arms and legs were covered with tattoos of snakes, spiders and other supernatural motifs.

Discovered near her funerary bundle was a strangled adolescent, who might have been a sacrifice to guide her into the afterlife, according to the museum at the El Brujo archaeological site where she was found.

The replica, made by a collaboration of archaeologists, the Wiese Foundation and global imaging company FARO Technologies, will be displayed in Peru's Culture Ministry in Lima and then at the museum at El Brujo.

Experts rebuild face of ancient Moche 'Lady of Cao' https://t.co/iXvcorKfNf pic.twitter.com/58WsvA3wfa

— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) July 4, 2017

- Reuters, AAP