A female mummy with religious and magical tattoos of spiders and snakes on her arms has been found in Peru.

The United State National Geographic Society reported recently that it is the first female Moche leader ever discovered. Moche culture thrived in the area between AD 1 and AD 700. The mummy was dated about AD 450.

Found by a ceremonial pyramid near the Pacific Ocean, the scientists have baptized the mummy as "The Lady of Cao."

The Xinhua news agency reports, The Lady of Cao was found with two ceremonial war clubs and 23 spear throwers -- sticks that propel spears.

The discovery has puzzled archeologists who say such items have previously only been found in male Moche graves. Moche culture, known for its pottery and human sacrifices, was governed only by men.

In the thousands of Moche tombs previously exposed, no female warrior has been identified.